3.2 into a 76, value
 

Hello- I am going to be the proud owner of a 76s sunroof coupe soon. It is supposed to be rustfree, run well, but it has serious oil leaks. The plan is to get compression and leakdown numbers, then remove the 2.7 engine and offer it for sale. Then install a 3.2 in the car and enjoy it. The question is-what will the 3.2 engine conversion do to the value of the car if it is done well? Up, down, neutral? Will good documentation help? Thanks for your answers.

If the car is just an average, run-of-the-mill, high mileage mid year then the value will most likely stay the same. If the car is in pristine condition, just off the factory floor appearance, then the value will be lower. If mid year 2.7 values ever go up in the future (possible) then the value will be even less.

If you intend to keep the car for a long time then put the 3.2 in and enjoy it! When it comes time to sell most buyers look for originality.

2.7 eng
 

Save it and all the smog crap , thermo reactors ,

Preserve the eng with light cosmoline

The California smog book shows pictures of the thermo reactors in place ,

Smog pump an tubes too,

This will enable your car to be a 50 state car

If in ca 75 is the last of the exempt cars

iE : smog notice arrives whip out the 3.2 , in goes the 2.7

Off to the smog station , 76 smog crap in tact, then 2 more yrs of 3.2 bliss

IE 2 buy a 75 or lower car

Just had the wife's 06 997s smogged on fri at a test only station (ca)

The smog guy said the 76,77,have some weird looking boxes on the side o f the eng

" reactor or exhaust boxes"

I was surprised ,,

"2 cents is always worth less" than a shiny nickel

3.2 conversion value
 

Thanks for your answers. I should have stated that I live in Maine-no smog testing here, thank goodness. The market here is tiny compared to California and the south. Buyers put a high value on rustfree cars. It seems to me that a potential buyer for a conversion would have to be a do it yourself type, so a car that is original might have a larger group of potential buyers. So maybe I should just hold on to the 2.7 engine. According to the reading that I have done, the 3.2 conversion could be undone easily.
I probably shouldn't worry about all this-in 10 years I will be 77- too old and frail to get 75 foot pounds to click on a torque wrench! Thanks again for the answers.

I think it's wise to hang onto the engine and original smog equipment. In 5 or 10 years it will matter.

imho, adding 50-70hp to a car should imply more than just an engine upgrade, but also brakes, suspension and, given the narrow body of the '76, rear flares. Yes, I know its possible to enjoy a conversion car without all that other stuff, but to me, its part of the larger "done right" conversion.

That said, I'd be inclined to simply remove/rebuild/repair the existing 2.7L motor. Plus, assuming its a "number matching" car to begin with, any value will only increase with time keeping it as such.