Early 911 engine values

911quest · 05-23-2007, 08:27 AM

I have two very early 911 motors for sale both are solex carbed motors what would be a good price for these one runs the other is a core. Thanks

If intersted PM me about the engines

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I sold a 2.7 longblock without CIS and exhaust for $600 last summer and bought a 2.7 with CIS and exhaust for $2800.

911quest · 05-23-2007, 09:57 AM

Well these are aluminum case so I can get between 800-1000 for the case but would rather sell them to someone with an early 911 looking for an original motor.

ErVikingo · 05-23-2007, 10:03 AM

Case is valuable otherwise IMHO valuable to one needing a solex carb'd engine. JOhn Cramer might be able to pitch in valuable info on this.

EarlyPorsche · 05-23-2007, 10:11 AM

Even in the worst condition they are worth more than 2.7's. Aluminum cased engines are very expensive. Ask me how I know.

304065 · 05-23-2007, 10:54 AM

What are the numbers on the engines?

If you just want to flip them then sell as high as you can to somebody who will cut the case for 90mm jugs and otherwise scatter the parts to the four winds. They are probably worth *more* to somebody with a solex-engined car that's being restored. The other problem is that people will buy these engines instead of investing in financial assets like they should, so they end up sitting in somebody's garage corroding instead of being part of a restoration effort.

Can you take some photos of the case hardware for me? I am trying to verify that what I have is perfectly original. The nuts that hold the case together, in particular, the through-bolt heads, etc. That would be a big help to the early 911 community, particularly if these engines are about to pass out of your possession.

If value maximization is your goal, the best way to find out the price is to offer them for sale. Because auctions are prohibited here, an online auction site would probably be the best.

911quest · 05-23-2007, 12:36 PM

John my intention is not auction them off I'm tring to gather a base of what they are worth I would love to see them go to someone restoring an early 911 I'm not looking to retire off of there value. I want to sell them to move forward on another project.

I was thinking 3500 for the running engine and 2500 for the other do you think that is to far off base?

304065 · 05-24-2007, 05:26 AM

Here's the trouble: even if the engine is running, it's probably going to need EVERYTHING. At least most of the running 2,0 engines that haven't been restored (and I mean restored, instead of rebuilt or resealed).

For example, the odds of the pistons being in spec after 40 years are slim, unless they have been replaced. The rod bushings will need replacement. The crank may be oval, if not on the mains, on the rod journals. The early case may have wear on the intermediate shaft, although that's more likely with a magnesium 2,0. In any event, the case should have the oil bypass mod and squirters. The cylinders will probably need to be bored. The heads may be fine, but the valve guides and valves themselves will probably need replacement. The cam gears might be worn and the chain tensioner arms will definitely need to be replaced and the tensioners upgraded if they haven't been. The cams will probably require a regrind and the rockers should be rebuilt at the same time.

When you go to rebuild one of these old engines, bascially you are starting from the case, the crank, the rods, the cylinders and the heads. By the time you finish with all the required upgrades, which can be undetectable outside the engine, you're into about $10,000.

So where am I going with this. Anticipating all the things that PROBABLY need to be done, I wouldn't pay more than about $2,000 for an aluminum cased engine, because that seems to be the going market rate. If you try to buy a case and crank, that's about what they go for. Unfortunately our hobby has been invaded by people whose idea of fun is buying low and selling high, and I expect you will get bids from people who don't even OWN a car manufactured before FEBRUARY 1966.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anything is wrong with either of your engines. But only having them apart can tell.

ErVikingo · 05-24-2007, 05:50 AM

I knew I had asked for your input on this for a reason John. We'll said.

Last early longblock (engine) I bought, I actually paid less than what it would have cost me to just get the case and crank from the same guy. He knew that most old engines can only be considered as "potential cores ("emphasis on potential") as being so old there's so many things that could be wrong with them due to age or improper workmanship that its not funny.

Its clear (to me at least) that any of these old engines must be taken apart and properly gone over before being put in service. The only time I would not do that is if I personally now the builder or have gotten significant physical evidence of what was done and how. Using them can cause more damage and expense (I have pics and invoices to prove it...).

A lot of people out there know how take one apart and put it back together but that does not necesarily mean put it back together properly (ask me how I know...). The best way to put it is using John's words "restored not rebuilt or resealed".

Watching some of those car flipping shows on the TV tells the story right, make it shiny and loud and make a quick buck. A year or so later, reality sets in when the filler starts to fall off, the paint to bubble up and mechanical parts start to leak as the fancy sealants give way.

IMHO, alu engine case values are as ridiculous as Fuchs values....

911quest · 05-24-2007, 07:04 AM

I agree I don't want to pass these motors off as being rebuilt restoresed or resealed I just know if a engine is running has good oil pressure it is alot less of a question then if it has been sitting in a garge for twenty years both of these still have the Solex carbs try to find a decent set of these.When was the last time you saw an solex air cleaner for sale?

Actually I think I'm going to sell one with it's car and offer the other to the potential buyer I think that will be the best Idea at this time.

ErVikingo · 05-24-2007, 07:27 AM

BTW, I don't mean to say that they are not valuable. Quite contrary they are and they are rare.

Your best bet is to try to find the owners of the original chassis to see if these can be "remarried".

All the best. Juan

shbop · 05-24-2007, 07:28 AM

When you go to rebuild one of these old engines, bascially you are starting from the case, the crank, the rods, the cylinders and the heads. By the time you finish with all the required upgrades, which can be undetectable outside the engine, you're into about $10,000.

+1 Been there. No regrets.

EarlyPorsche · 05-24-2007, 07:56 AM

I almost think you are starting to feel bad that you own something of value! Look the rarity of these blocks make them valueable. I know I would be looking for top dollar on them because this is not a charity. You can't feel bad for that guy that just needs that Porsche engine but can't afford it. I also agree with cramer when he says not to look at them as an investment. When someone owns a Ferrari and goes to sell his Rare 2.0 liter V12 nobody should tell him what its worth, the market dictates the price. The same will happen here, although less rare, still your engine is one of the most rare production engine for the Porsche 911 so if its value is high, its not always that you are asking too much, it could be that its just worth that much! Also, don't look at it from the perspective of high rebuild costs on a block dictate a lower price point. Bottom line is that your 2.0 aluminums are worth a good deal and what it costs to rebuild them has zero bearing on the fact that you deserve to sell them for a fair price. If you however are convinced that Porsche ownership is like buying into a charity I will gladly buy up all of your aluminum blocks for $250 each! Have a great day all!

911quest · 05-24-2007, 08:06 AM

One came from a 356 restorer that used to take it to PCA tech sessions so that car is long gone the other came out of a car I just got in trade I was going to make an R out of it but I think I just want to take a break from the Porsche hobby for a while I actually drove the 911 to work today rasied it up and took some pictures it is to solid to tear apart. I bought the other to have the carbs for my 300688 but I really don't care anymore it's sad to say that but when you work on cars for 40 hrs. a week it's hard to want to do much of that stuff in your free time. I have been very fortunate to have had some of the cars and parts that I have had pass thru my hand at 30yrs. old. I never did any of this stuff to make a killing I do it to support my Porsche hobby and not dive into the household bank account.