Used type 1 engine value

[GreenImp]

I'm looking at a "good used" 1776 w/dual Dellorto's and "head work". Trying to determine a reasonable market value. I understand the risks involved with buying a used engine and that there are many variables... I'm just looking for generalized ball park type info. Can anybody offer any thoughts?

[vwinnovator]

depends on your expectation of "good"

depending on components used it could be valued anywhere from $1000-7500 or so..

german case? mexican case? brazilian case?
wear on bores/thrust?

ex. stock crank? chinese crank? Berg crank?

stock rods? carrillo rods?

stock OG reworked heads? aftermarket casting?

lot of variables to look at

[Glenn]

Have you seen it run?

If not, then assume it doesn't.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[gt1953]

Yep what parts are in the engine...I have one for sale with 2600 in parts alone in it. That does not count the labor for the builder.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2128228
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[GreenImp]

Thank you all for the replies. As I mentioned above, I am aware of the risks involved including that it's potentially junk. The engine is already removed so no "hear it run". Because nothing has been mentioned about various high end parts, my assumption is that it's a low budget build (original block, stock rods, cheap piston/cylinders, etc.). The engine comes with dual Dellorto 40's with the good CB Performance style linkage and air cleaners, and the asking price for the whole package isn't all that much more than what those go for in good condition alone.

30 years ago there would have been no problem determining a market value, but they're so few and far between these days I just couldn't find any comparable offerings. The engine posted above is the closest I have seen but somehow I had missed that one even though I already checked the classifieds on here too.

FYI... I'm only considering used because this engine is for an old Empi Imp fiberglass dune buggy that we only use a couple/few times a year. As long as the engine isn't on it's last legs, it should last us for many years. Just can't justify a new engine for that little amount of use, and don't feel it would get a good "return on investment" should we decide to sell the car (not planned, but you never know).

[busman78]

I take my bell housing with starter test unit, battery, gas and test fire the engine whether in the vehicle or out of it, if the owner will not allow the engine to be run then no sale or nothing more than a possible core engine then you are talking a few hundred dollars at best.

[KTPhil]

Without seeing/hearing it run yourself, assume it's trashed, and offer the value of the known good accessories. Believe nothing about any internal parts. Good parts can be installed badly and ruined.

So maybe $2-300.

If the seller says it ran great or was rebuilt, check the endplay. If it's not in new spec, he's lying and you walk away.

[GreenImp]

I appreciate you guys looking out for my best interests, but I'm not looking for comments about whether or not the engine is good or the seller is honest. As I mentioned twice already... I'm aware of the risks of buying a used engine that I cannot hear run. I'm also aware of the few things that can be done to determine the condition of a used engine without hearing it run or disassembling it such as checking end play. I simply have no idea what a good running 1776 as described would be worth in today's market. The asking price is low enough that I'm considering taking the risk, but not low enough that it's a no brainier (core prices). Again, thank you all for your input... especially gt1953 for pointing out his own ad which is a very comparable engine.

[vwinnovator]

well if the carbs look decent they are good for $500-600 alone..

good rotating long block with an "assumed" size $500-1000

so $1000-1500 and you should be safe...

[Pruneman99]

Sometimes machinists stamp the block (usually on top) with a number that it was line bored to. If the stamps are there you know what the minimum the case mains were cut to.

[GreenImp]

[gt1953]

Well my engine has been removed. So to here it run would have to reintall carbs, linkage, exhaust, hook up spare trans and starter. It would fire up and carbs may not be perfectly sinked up and could here it run.
_________________
Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[Mark Evans]

I have seen more "1776" engines turn out to be just 1600cc stockers too.
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'63 Ragtop

[Zundfolge1432]