Major Parts Score Yesterday

[LeftCoast32]

I stumbled on a guy needing some money fast yesterday.

He told me he had an NOS 327/375HP Crate Engine, NOS HP Heads and NOS Corvette Finned Valve Covers.

It was all in his grandfathers garage when he passed away.

I was a bit skeptical but figured I better not pass on at least looking at everything.

I drove 40 miles to South San Diego to look at everything. When I got there his place was a mess but I was shocked to find out what he had and purchased everything.

This is what I scored:

*NOS 327 350HP Crate Partial Engine (L79) (Original GM Crate)
Dated Sept 16 1965 (Forged Crank, Forged Rods, Forged 11 to 1 Pistons, Cam, Timing Chain and Front Cover)

*NOS 3782461 Fuelie Head Casting (Matched Set) (Original GM Boxes)
Dated Apr 19 1965 (2.02/1.60, No Valves, Springs or Retainers)

*NOS Corvette Finned Aluminum Valve Covers (Matched Set) (Original GM Boxes)

I will take some pictures a little later today. I ran all the numbers last night when I got everything unloaded.

I just need to decide today if I want to put any of the parts in the '66 or sell them on Evil-Bay and put all the money into the '66?

[tenni126]

Nice score! There's somebody out there who will pay good money to finish a numbers matching project for sure. If it were me, I'd let it go to someone who needs the parts for an all-original resto and put the money into the truck!

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by tenni126

Nice score! There's somebody out there who will pay good money to finish a numbers matching project for sure. If it were me, I'd let it go to someone who needs the parts for an all-original resto and put the money into the truck!

The Crate Engine is Correct for an early production 1966 327 350HP (L79) Corvette (Sept '65). I think I am going to list it on E-Bay today.

The Heads are 5 months newer (Apr '65) then the crate engine. I may keep the heads for the 283 in the '66 Shop Truck.

The Valve Covers will get listed on E-Bay today also, I already have a set of Cal Custom Finned Covers for the '66.

[markeb01]

Sounds like a great score, and decision. I’d probably do the same thing.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Sounds like a great score, and decision. I’d probably do the same thing.

Thanks!

This is a low estimate of what I expect to sell them for on E-Bay

NOS Crate Engine is worth - $4000.00 plus

NOS Valve Covers are worth - $300.00 - $400.00

[padresag]

I remember that My brother and I bought from a gm dealer in vancouver in 65 a 250hp 327 l/block for $435.00.
ron

[oem4me]

Do the valve covers have a seam/casting line through the "O" ?
Those without the line are pre '66 and are much rarer. Not long ago, a fellow on this board had an NOS boxed set of the 66's and offered them here for $250, but was not having much luck. They would sell for more in Corvette circles.

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by oem4me

Do the valve covers have a seam/casting line through the "O" ?
Those without the line are pre '66 and are much rarer. Not long ago, a fellow on this board had an NOS boxed set of the 66's and offered them here for $250, but was not having much luck. They would sell for more in Corvette circles.

These do not have the casting line through the "O". From what I was told the Grandfather purchased everything in late 1965.

[LeftCoast32]

Here is everything listed on ebay with pictures:

NOS L79 Partial Corvette Crate Partial Engine - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT

NOS Fuelie Head Castings - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT

NOS Corvette Valve Covers - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT

If the crate engine and heads dont sell then they may end up in the '66!

[padresag]

that really is not a crate eng as such. it is just a 327 s/block assy as they were called in those days sorry to say. It has the components that could make a 350 hp eng whether it be in a corvette or a chevy 2. it is the sum of the right components that will make it a 350 hp eng.
ron
still a nice find

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by padresag

that really is not a crate eng as such. it is just a 327 s/block assy as they were called in those days sorry to say. It has the components that could make a 350 hp eng whether it be in a corvette or a chevy 2. it is the sum of the right components that will make it a 350 hp eng.
ron
still a nice find

Thanks! We used to call them the Partial Engine Assemblies or Short Blocks because the heads were not included. It is great to hear the comments from those that were there back then. I was born in '66 but grew up around hotrods and muscle cars my whole life.

Here is the paperwork that came with it inside the crate:

[chevyrestoguy]

I've bought and sold rare GM parts for years, and that has to be one of the coolest finds I've heard of in a long time. I will watch those ebay auctions with great interest. I'll bet there will be some Vette guys drooling over that short block and heads. GOOD LUCK!

I can only imagine what the profit margin will be on those parts!!!!!

[Captainfab]

Wow that is quite a score! Who would have thought there would still be something like that sitting around. Good luck on your sale.

['63GENIII]

That L79 is gonna make someone very happy. I had built one (to the L79 specs) when I was 18 for my '64 Impala SS. I used the "fuelie" heads and a winters casting 302 manifold. That Impala surprised more people (including myself) seeing as it was the first engine I ever built. Good luck on the sale. Killer score!

['63GENIII]

Just looked at the pics.... must have been like opening a treasure chest only to find there was actually gold in it!

[LeftCoast32]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Just looked at the pics.... must have been like opening a treasure chest only to find there was actually gold in it!

It was really cool opening up the crate to find out what it was. He was told by the grandfather that it was a '64 327/375HP engine. I already had the block number from him so I knew it could be an L79.

When I saw the forged 11 to 1 pistons and forged crank I couldn't pay the man fast enough.

Then he dug out the fuelie heads and the valve covers that went with it. It was hard to hold my excitement back and maintain a poker face.

The only numbers I have not pulled are for the cam, because I would have to pull the front cover and timing chain to get the numbers off the front of it.

['63GENIII]

[QUOTE=LeftCoast32;4807496]



Then he dug out the fuelie heads and the valve covers that went with it. It was hard to hold my excitement back and maintain a poker face.

QUOTE]

Yeah, that's the point where you have to be careful with your reaction. You don't want the seller to reconsider and for the price to go up. I think the best part of those deals is the ride home with the stuff in the back of the truck... Almost make you giddy. I'm mostly big block stuff these days, but I checked my lotto numbers last night anyway. Suffice to say, my personal assistant won't be bidding for me while I'm in Cancun, but I will be watching that bid. Pretty darn cool!

[LeftCoast32]

I have been getting lots of e-mails on the auctions but no bids yet?

Here is everything listed on ebay with pictures:

NOS L79 Partial Corvette Crate Partial Engine - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT

NOS Fuelie Head Castings - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT

NOS Corvette Valve Covers - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT

If the crate engine and heads dont sell then they may end up in the '66!

[64fleetside]

Those heads really kick ass-put them on a 350 w/dished pistons, it will rock & roll.