What's it worth?

[Montezuma]

I will be removing a perfectly working 2.4 out of a 71Z and replacing it with a 3.1. I want to sell the engine, my idea is to leave in the car until it is sold, that way the buyer can drive it and hear it run. I plan to sell it minus the carbs and header. The engine runs great, very strong and fast. So how much does anyone here think I should ask for it? Of course you can PM me if you are interested. I will list it here in the classifieds and on Craig's List San Diego. I just did not know how much to ask for it.

[hls30.com]

I am almost afraid to give you the answer lest you misinterpret the answer as an attack, but, at least one L24/l26 engine is on ebay almost all of the time, and rarely ever sells. Taking the manifolds and carbs means the parts that would interest most people are not bart of the equasion anymore. Most people who want an early engine want the right one for their car(numbers matching) in addition, the shipping is pretty high. You will probably do better at the metal salvage yard than anywhere else, and they won't be interested in hearing it run. This has been my personal experience, I hope yours will be different, but I doubt it. I have a good selection of engines, and the only ones that continue to get interest are the L28 and L28et...

Will

[Arne]

I agree with Will, an L24 long block is almost valueless. I couldn't give my spare '73 L24 away intact, I had to disassemble it, then I gave away the head, sold the 9mm rods, and hauled the block to the scrappers.

Thing is that if you don't care whether you have matching numbers in your 240Z, you want a bigger motor (same as you yourself are doing). Why buy a non-original L24 when you can get a non-original L28 just as easily. I would have done the same for my yellow project if I hadn't bought a parts car that came with a good L24. Otherwise it would have received an L28.

[Montezuma]

I got 2 L28s sitting around and gave another one away last week.

[Sailor Bob]

All that being said, why not just keep it in the backyard under a tarp - there's not much cash to be made from it. If you sell your car someday it will add some value (if only to broaden the base of potential buyers). Most people interested in an older car to restore like matching numbers or at least to have the option.

[WingZr0]

Or you can take your time and build a Race Engine out it, as a

freind sugggested I do with mine.

[sblake01]

I've got a complete L28, an L28D crank (not for sale) and oil pan/pickup all of which I plan to use for a stroker motor for my 810 when and if the L24E gets tired. I paid less than $100 for the whole lot and one of those 1/2 price sales they occaisionally have at Pick a Part.

[Montezuma]

All that being said, why not just keep it in the backyard under a tarp - there's not much cash to be made from it. If you sell your car someday it will add some value (if only to broaden the base of potential buyers). Most people interested in an older car to restore like matching numbers or at least to have the option.

Backyard-junkyard???? Things are different here in So-Cal, I can't image the Mrs. would appreciate an engine sitting in her Oasis. I will sell it or junk it. It will never go back in the 71Z, this car is getting torn down to be rebuild into a G-nosed Japanese style race car. I am building it for my friend who grew up in Japan, he currently works as a marketing brand manager for Nissan. He has plans for the car and its originality will not be in the cards ever again. I sell off most of the parts and replace them with the items he wants in it. I will list the engine for $100.00, I think the E31 head is worth that much alone.

[Sailor Bob]

If I lived down there I would have a yard full of cars. Occasionally I forget how plentiful older Zs are down there. Saving the originality of the car is less relevent to you when it is so easy to get another. I paid over 3K just to get one shipped up here. I would have been/be very excited to have a #s matching 71.

Good luck