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Hey guys,
Well my son is getting close to pulling the engine and transmission out of his 54 and we need some help pricing the stuff that were not going to be using. I talked to a couple of guys and it seems I'm a little high so i would like to know where you guys think we should be. I'm going to be putting in a 4BT and new trainee so I want to get rid of the stuff he doesn't need.
The truck has a little over 30,000 miles on it and runs and shifts great so I think it has some good value but it seems I think it's worth more than other people. We also are going to be gutting the interior so if ya need anything that we have let me know. If you take a look at my pics you can see plenty of pics of the engine bay etc. If anyone is interested in anything let me know.
My cell # is (518) 225-0552
Thanks,
Randy Christman

30k on the engine may be more than you think now days. Cars in the 50s frequently needed overhauls starting at 75k. Your truck has had several owners (even if you were first post military) it had a lot of different drivers and mechanics over its life...some better than others. You may or may not have the original motor.


Was your motor rebuilt, many were about the time the government released them (your tax dollars at work). There will be a plate some where on the engine showing where it was rebuilt and giving the specs (.030 Over on Cylinders .010 under on crank for example). I have seen some that were rebuilt to .040 or more over. That would mean that in many cases no more rebuilds were reasonably possible.


If needed a new engine and wanted to stay stock I think I would rather buy one cheap knowing I would have to go the full overhaul route any way. I would not be thrilled with the idea of shipping a used motor then going to the trouble to install it only to find out it was getting tired....


Results of a compression test would be a stronger selling point than "runs good".

As to the transmission early models like mine were more prone to transmission problems and would be worth somewhat less.


I do not mean to sound overly negative but these may be some reasons others are tending towards a lower price.

W/ Paul,
They were expendable, weren't meant to last as long as they have for sure! I'm going to check out your pic's.
Good Luck,

Thanks guys!
I'm not looking to make much money on this to be honest with ya if it were up to me I would give the thing away to someone that needs it but I would like to sell it for my son. He's could use the money for the rebuild. I can do a compression test if someone would like. I understand that we may not get much but I have built enough engines to know that this is a good one. I can also offer if someone would like, to sell the engine rebuilt. We have a machine shop and complete truck shop that we rebuild gas and diesel engines and manual transmissions on a daily basis.
Like I said I appreciate the responses but I still didn't get any input on what the engine transmission is worth the way that it sets. Also I think some of the electrical wiring, gauges and stuff like that may be usable if anyone needs the stuff.
Also are the seats worth anything. The passenger seat looks to be factory. It still has the green cloth and roping on the bottom?
Thanks,
Randy

I was tracking a 1954 engine/trans in OH. The engine was rebuilt and detailed - had starter, gen, carb - the guy was a perfectionist and the engine looked new. It went for $560 on ebay but I was gone. Saw a pass seat bottom go for $50. Are your other seat parts springs? If so, takeouts are probably around $75 each piece.

Pricing parts can be very tricky, indeed. The parts you list are not being made any more, so that makes them a little more "valuable." They aren't really scarce yet, either, which makes them "a little less valuable." What affects the price more than anything are (1) how desperately the buyer needs the part and (2) how desperately the seller wants to get rid of an unneeded item. When the "party of the first part" (1) and the "party of the second part" (2) agree on a mutually acceptable price, the deal is made. In my case, I bought an engine for $100, knowing full well that it needed attention. It needed a little more "attention" than I originally thought, though, so I opted for a complete rebuild. That is costing me in the neighborhood of $1,800 but it should last for the rest of my life and then some, so I'm not complaining. I would have no qualms about offering, say, $600 for an engine that showed good compression on all cylinders and ran well, but that's just me. Others might pay more and others less. Like I said...it depends on how badly they "need" it.

That said, "happy horse-trading!"

Sent you a pm

Thanks guys,
I appreciate all the input. So if anyone needs anything drop me a line or give me a call. My cell is (518)225-0552 My son should be pulling the cab this week so engine and trans will be out be the weekend .
Thanks again,
Bulldog

Hey guys,
I wanted to say thanks for the input. The engine and transmission are sold.
Once my son gets it the rest of the truck apart I'll let ya know if we are going to sell anything else.
Thanks again,
Bulldog