Re: 1956 374 with Big Valve Heads Value??

Posted by Craig Hendrickson On 2009/9/17 13:25:39

I think the value would vary quite a bit. I sold one to a fellow enthusiast in Australia, so it was more expensive than usual because he had to pay crating, shipping and import fees. I would not disclose the price unless he said it was OK to do so.

Basically, if one needs that exact motor, then it is worth more. If all one needs is a Packard V-8 of any displacement, then less.

I also advertised a 374 core a few months ago, but no one bit. I still have it, but will probably hang on to it for some future project.

The rule of thumb for a "standard rebuild" on a Pontiac V-8 is $2000-$2500 plus core. Chebbie SBCs are cheaper, Chebbie BBCs and Fords are more expensive. The highest cost on a rebuild is oversize pistons which can vary from $400 to $1,000 depending on source and quality. Most of the other parts are more or less comparable in price with other mid-50s V-8s. Also, it seems all rebuild parts are available from the usual suspects at prices that also vary somewhat.

Craig