Without getting all the where are the pics etc. I want to gauge the interest in selling my parts I have to build a WQ motor. I am thinking of going different route depending on what I might get for my goodies

Here is what I have and I will post all the codes later
68 WQ block needs only one sleeve
16 heads real nice
Correct intake
Correct oil pan
And yes correct carb that is ready to run
I am Thinking $4000 feel free to comment on price. I think pretty fair

I would add the date code of your parts.

Okay, I'll bite:

16 heads, which I've bought 2 sets in the last year will run $350-$450.
Intake any where from $100-$150
Oil pan - got me, maybe $100?

So, $700 right there.

Carb and block are the only HO/WQ engine unique parts you've got. People are asking ridiculous money on eBay for blocks and carbs. They've also been listed there for years, meaning no sales.

So, optimistically, $2000 for both.

That get's me to $2,700. Maybe you can ask $3,000 if all the date codes make sense.

What you don't mention are correct original distributor which would have been shared with the regular 400 I think as well as correct original exhaust manifolds(long branch). Those two would get you to 4k in my mind mainly because of the long branch manifolds. If you can find someone looking for an HO engine. The difficulty in my mind with getting premium pricing is that the HOs don't command premium prices compared to regular 400s. Or at least I don't think they do. Maybe a 10-20% markup, I could be wrong as I don't recall seeing any 400 HOs sell in the last few years. It's nothing like a Ram Air car which would get 3-4 or more times the value of a similar condition 400 car.

If it were me and someone showed up with $2,500 in cash, I'd be loading them up as quick as possible.

Not sure what your thinking of as an alternative, I think the 400 HO is an excellent choice. Chevy on a pallet engine is cheaper but so are green bananas.

Were you going to build the engine to some extent yourself? If you get the builder to do all the work it will cost a lot. Pretty straight forward to strip engine and build engine from short block. Get your engine builder to do the short block.

There is very little info out there on 400 HO cars as they are rare and don't get the attention the RA motors get. Little sales data to compare but I have
seen a few over the last 7 years prices north of $60k and less than $75k.

Green bananas ripen, LS motors don't.

I'm curious to see if there are documented sales (i.e. auction) in that range. I'm not saying it didn't happen, heck even this happened: https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0517-282571/1968-pontiac-firebird-convertible/ Yes, 75k for regular 400 convertible. Sure, original engine, triple black, etc. But hey, I should stop knocking it and hope I can get anywhere near that for mine(non-original engine/trans).

The only 400ho I saw roll across Mecum action was year or two ago. Green auto with a 10 year restoration. It sold in the 60’s.

I was only looking at an alternative option based on what my parts my bring, it is not my official intention of parting with these pieces. I was talking with chief about buying his 462 setup only from the point of view that it will cost me twice as much to take what I have and build the motor. I am most likely sticking with this plan

In regards to valuation I still believe people on here love to undervalue these parts, I believe because they are upset they may not have held on to theirs long enough to get top dollar for their own parts.

#16 heads for $300? please point me in that direction, please go to franks pontiac parts, you can see on his website sold sets for $800

WQ block and correct carb for under $2000. I havent seen a WQ block for sale for almost 2 years and I look all the time. And if you think The correct carb is cheap, Banshee has one for sale and he would like $2000 but wont take less than $1500 so thanks for your opinion but I am searching for facts here

Like I said, I've bought two sets for $350 - $450 in the past year. Go over to performance years. Just because you don't want to believe it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Those buying from Frank are paying premium prices, great for Frank. I've had to buy a few items from him over the years. He's the source of last resort and he prices accordingly.

The real question is did Banshee sell it at 2k or does he still have it? I hope he sold it, more power to him. I am curious if he's sold his black '67, that would be an interesting car to see back on the road.

Ram Air stuff will sell for more, that I believe. I've bought some of it(Carb, distibutor, and heads).

I've searched and searched for the 400 HO that has been mentioned at Mecum for 60k. I can't find it. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, a regular 400 vert sold for more. I do know that the carnival red Ram Air I auto stuggled to get past 60-70k. And we know Ram Air > HO.

Wait, you must be thews over there. I recall the long debate over there about numbers matching. Even when it was 20 people to 1 you refused to believe anyone else.

I was wrong. The one I have seen sell was on Barrett Jackson. It was a 69. https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1969-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-400-CONVERTIBLE-188938

That was the only 400 HO I saw go across the auction line. I know when I contacted hagerty insurance and spoke to the man that does the appraisals and maintain the appraisal piece on their web site. I asked about why they did not list the 68 400ho and it's valuation. It list the different HP and the 400 and ram air I. He told me they value the 400HO and the Ram air 1 the same.

After searching for 5 years for a WQ motor I finally found a perfect one at the end of 2017. I picked it up and brought it home in February. It was a std bore block. It was a complete motor but the only items that was correct for the WQ motor was the 16 heads and the 68 oil pan, and oil filter adapter. It did come with 69 long branch exhaust, 64 timing cover, 74 intake manifold, clutch fan, 65 distributor, oldsmobile air cleaner, 65 power steering parts.

I paid $2400 for it. I have sold most of the incorrect items and sold the 16 heads.


Currently I have 1100 in the long block with correct crank, oil pan, oil filter which I feel is fair. I sold the 16 heads for 500 and the 69 exhaust long branch manifolds for 400.

Thanks for the link Harold. Makes a lot of sense that it is convertible. We know what kind of multiple the '69 TA convertibles get compared to the coupes. Obviously, not as much of a multiple for the HOs, but likely a clear line between the converts and coupes.

I'm interested in the manifold...
just throwing that out there.....

Are you willing to sell the block? What is the date code? Any pictures?

Thanks,

Tom