• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Value of a good running 361?

64SF

64SF

Well-Known Member
Local time
7:55 PM
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
866
Reaction score
603
Location
Ocala,Florida
I have someone interested in my 361 engine that I'm about to pull and replace. The engine runs excellent, uses little oil, has good compression, no leaks and from what I can determine has never been opened up. It has a cast iron four barrel intake with a good AFB carb.

The only items I'll be removing are the brackets, pulleys, water pump housing and power steering pump. Mileage around 40,000 which I believe is close to being accurate. The buyer is planning to install the engine in a B body that originally came with a 361.

I want to price it fairly...not over nor under priced. I know selling something like this is what the buyer and seller are willing to agree upon....but I looking for a base line.
 
Just about any decent running engine is worth a few hundred bucks.....unless it's a 318:D. Had several of those given to me for free but most weren't running. Really couldn't tell you what that 361 is worth but anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Start out high. You can always negotiate down but it's pretty hard to go up.
 
If the buyer is a rich guy that needs the engine to take his car to Pebble Beach the engine is worth at least 5K.
If he is a friend that needs the engine for his only hobby car I'd give it to him.
 
onlyone said:
If the buyer is a rich guy that needs the engine to take his car to Pebble Beach the engine is worth at least 5K.
If he is a friend that needs the engine for his only hobby car I'd give it to him.
Click to expand...
What makes you think rich people are loose with their money? Most are are so tight that instead of a squeak when they walk, it's more of a huge groan lol. When my wife and I owned a furniture store, it was the ones that had money that gave us the most problems with payment....and NEVER deliver goods until payment is made but that one is pretty much true with the majority. I do agree with the last part of your post. If the engine is in the way, give it away or sell it dirt cheap. :)
 
I'm not selling my original 361. It's under the bench and the 440 redheaded stepchild is taking its place for now...
 
Last edited:
IMO its not worth much $, if its never been apart then minimum heads should be redone, (leaded heads) id ask $300.00, Take $250.00
 
If a good running motor...install and go.....my 2 cents...top end price would be 1k..500 to 800 I'd consider..you can't pay to have it rebuilt for that....issue being is the popularity...not a huge demand for 361.
 
I didn't say a rich person would give 5k. Only that it would be valued at that if they needed it.
But more to the point, if I had any friends I would give them the engine. If I had any friends that is.
I shall now remove my tongue from my cheek. And foot from my mouth
.


Cranky said:
What makes you think rich people are loose with their money? Most are are so tight that instead of a squeak when they walk, it's more of a huge groan lol. When my wife and I owned a furniture store, it was the ones that had money that gave us the most problems with payment....and NEVER deliver goods until payment is made but that one is pretty much true with the majority. I do agree with the last part of your post. If the engine is in the way, give it away or sell it dirt cheap. :)
Click to expand...
 
Thanks all who responded so quickly....your comments have helped a great deal.
 
My 2 cents,,, A 361 is so close to a 383 as far performance I think they are very good engine.Also would have to go with the 200-300 dollar price range and work from there.I have one too.
 
Keep in mind that the oil pan and pickup are different on the early B bodies from the later ones. If you are putting in a 440 or a later 383, you may need to swap those parts.....
 
Big Bad Dad said:
Keep in mind that the oil pan and pickup are different on the early B bodies from the later ones. If you are putting in a 440 or a later 383, you may need to swap those parts.....
Click to expand...

Thank you! 451 going in....
 
To add a bit more as to what a 451 is....like 69a100 said, it's a stroked 400 and it's usually built with a cut down 440 crank. You have to cut the counterweights down and the mains for it to fit into the 400 block. Makes a nice combo though. Compact (as far as big blocks go) big bore long stroke engine.....
 
Cranky said:
To add a bit more as to what a 451 is....like 69a100 said, it's a stroked 400 and it's usually built with a cut down 440 crank. You have to cut the counterweights down and the mains for it to fit into the 400 block. Makes a nice combo though. Compact (as far as big blocks go) big bore long stroke engine.....
Click to expand...
Well, a 400 is a B block, not an RB, so it would be easy to disguise it as the 361. I kept the 361 in my 64 Fury, but added an AFB, and the hi rise exh manifolds like used on the Road Runners, etc. Used a TTI dual exhaust kit, which bolted in nicely. Made it look like factory stuff, right down to the turquoise paint. Plus I have the 361 hood ornament..

64 Ply cap 1.jpg 1964 Fury.jpg
 
Back to the 361. I bought 2 a junk yard pull out with about 80K on it and a fully rebuilt one that someone screwed up on the timing it hit a valve . Anyways enough to fix and have a good rebuilt motor I payed $200 for both that's with brackets and pullys on one of them. So yeah 200-300 is fair start at $400 and go from there you are talking about a very hard to find running eng I've seen 318's you can't even see run pull outs for $500-$1000 so I'd start at $400 good luck
 
How long has it been sitting and do you know how it ran before it was pulled?
I have a 361 in my 66 Belvedere. If I needed to replace it and knew somebody had a good one, I'd be OK with paying $400 or $500, less $ if its condition were unknown.

On another note, depending on your model, a 361 power steering pump will not fit a 400--they changed in 1967 and they're not interchangeable without modification. Somebody else can probably add some details. I found out the hard way.
 
And no 400's I know of were ever RB engines :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Kern Dog
I saw this car at a local self serve junkyard…
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
cosgig
cosgig
BlueCoronet
Not a good adventure
Replies
14
Views
1K
Dako
Dako
70ChargerRT
Asking opinions of the value of this 69 Road Runner.
3 4 5
Replies
86
Views
5K
Runcharger
Runcharger
qkcuda
My new stock stroke 400 build
5 6 7
Replies
128
Views
10K
qkcuda
qkcuda
TexasRoadRunner68
OEM Forged 440 Crank value
Replies
10
Views
2K
oldkimmer
O
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top