WTB: Engine #903188 - Last seen in LA

[bxd]

This place is awesome.

Oh, and don't sell the car. Just..... well, just don't. No matter what.

[Demetri]

I sent the engine owner an email last night. What the hell did I get myself into! Best case scenario is still a lot of time and money. The car has been sitting in my garage on jack stands for three years because I don't have time or money! I will let you know what I hear back from the U. K.

[SpawnyWhippet]

I sent the engine owner an email last night. What the hell did I get myself into! Best case scenario is still a lot of time and money. The car has been sitting in my garage on jack stands for three years because I don't have time or money! I will let you know what I hear back from the U. K.

The car will certainly be worth more with the matching numbers engine and a story like this one behind it. Work out if the cost is less than the anticipated increase in value. However, as you aren't likely to sell it anytime soon, maybe this is of less importance to you.

[Jules Dielen]

There is no such thing as an engine # 303098. I think a handy craftsman was involved here....?

[Eminence Gris]

There is no such thing as an engine # 303098. I think a handy craftsman was involved here....?

Well, not only that, but the case appears to be magnesium and VIN 303XXX would have had an aluminum case. Stamps are not factory stamps and the support the stamping is on appears to be thinner than is commonly seen (machined down?). Much strangeness here.

[70SATMan]

Seems pretty apparent that someone assumed that "matching numbers" meant that the chassis and engine numbers "matched".

Obvious re-stamp.

[Demetri]

Hey guys. Here is what's going on. The owner of the motor wants lots of money, at least from where I am sitting. The motor is in the same condition as when he bought it. He hasn't opened it up. Who knows what it looks like inside; it does spin freely. It will be a lot cheaper for me to build a period correct motor. There seem to be several sets of solex carbs up for sale, and I can get a 66 solex long block for a good price. In the end, I am not selling the car, so sinking a bunch of cash into it for "matching numbers" doesn't make sense. That said, I did offer to trade him long blocks, assuming I can get the other solex engine. I even went so far as to suggest we just trade blocks (cases?) at the time either one of us tears down our engines, again assumes I get the other solex engine. I'd pay the shipping and put an extra thousand or two to make it worth his time. You can just Fed Ex the blocks, right? That would make things a lot easier, insured and trackable. I haven't heard back from him. Anyone know approximately how much the aluminum 2 liter blocks weigh?

[preS]

Hey guys. Here is what's going on. The owner of the motor wants lots of money, at least from where I am sitting. The motor is in the same condition as when he bought it. He hasn't opened it up. Who knows what it looks like inside; it does spin freely. It will be a lot cheaper for me to build a period correct motor. There seem to be several sets of solex carbs up for sale, and I can get a 66 solex long block for a good price. In the end, I am not selling the car, so sinking a bunch of cash into it for "matching numbers" doesn't make sense. That said, I did offer to trade him long blocks, assuming I can get the other solex engine. I even went so far as to suggest we just trade blocks (cases?) at the time either one of us tears down our engines, again assumes I get the other solex engine. I'd pay the shipping and put an extra thousand or two to make it worth his time. You can just Fed Ex the blocks, right? That would make things a lot easier, insured and trackable. I haven't heard back from him. Anyone know approximately how much the aluminum 2 liter blocks weigh?

The alu case weighs a little less than 40 LBS.

BTW I think your offer is fair.

Richard

[Schiefer]

I´m not as obsessed by matching numbers as I used to be, but if I was able to reunite the original engine with a car like this, I would do my best to make it happen. Mostly because it belongs in your car and it would be very cool to have it back after 30 years, also because it would be very frustrating to know it is floating around out there.

Personally I would have offered to swap identical engine cases. You get yours back in todays condition and send him cases fully inspected and prepared by one of the best shops like Competition Engineering. In case he is worried about the condition of your engine, this would be a sweet deal and save him both time and money. If you also cover all shipping, I can see no reason to say no. Timing is good and if you don´t do it now, it will probably never happen.

Good luck whatever you choose!

[sanders]

I have case 903178