What's Mine Worth?

[project280]

I was  wondering...I have a 1969 280SL completely in pieces.  I have had the motor taken to a machine shop and they told me that the cylinder walls were torn up etc etc...soooo..the guy completed the machine work and told me that he could bore it out and get custom pistons. Well after he did the machine work he told me that the cylinder walls were too thin and now im stuck with an original motor that they tell me that it can not be heated and sleeved because of how thin the walls are now and will warp.

-Question 1: does anyone have any information on how i can still salvage this motor to keep it original?

-Question 2: if i buy a rebuilt motor and have some other non-original parts on the vehicle (some various trim, new top, not original paint job but color is the same) is the vehicle still worth 40-50k?..?

-Question 3: how much would it be worth put back together and with question 1 with original motor if it can be salvaged...and with question 2 a rebuilt motor?

[treedoc]

Sounds like a good starting point to do an M119 conversion, add a couple of turbos and a Supra 5 speed and have a real Q car.

[menesesjesse]

The engine numbers dont match the body number so numbers matching isnt a huge issue.  I much rather buy a 280 with a solid motor then one that was overly reworked just to say it was the original motor.  Get a solid used 280 motor and use all your external parts on it.  Keep the old block as a souvineer.  If this car is a high mile driver it will cost more then 50k to make it perfect.  Think about it.  I exchanged mine with metric motors and I still have a period correct block and I think that goes a long way with the people that like these cars.  With no core your motor will cost a lpretty penny good luck in your hunt.
Jesse

[abe280SL]

I second what Jesse says.  For some reason owners of other brands want original matching this and matching that.  People who own old Porches want all matching numbers.  280sl...not a  big issue and I to would rather have a car with a good engine than original worn out or ready to blow up.
abe

[ctaylor738]

Same here.  A Metric rebuild will add more value than an original block.  Talk to Mike at Metric.  If you have a good crank, rods, balancer, flywheel and pump/distributor/oil pump drive, you may not get beaten up too badly on the block.

[Nate]

Mike will probably recommend doing a full long block if there's any signs of corrosion or wearing. This is the smart choice, you only want to have to pull an engine once.  Metric is the right place to have the work done.  A rebuilt Metric motor will probably outlast you and possibly your offspring.  That's how good they are.  Many say better then how they left the factory.

[J. Huber]

Personally, I think there are too many variables to answer the last part of Question 2: ("is it worth 40-50K?")...

I think if someone had a really sharp Pagoda with little to no rust anywhere, fairly reasonable miles, all the correct trim inside and out in good to very good condition AND either very good original OR newly updated 113-correct interior, suspension, and paint job-- then only needing a new engine might get you to that price range. Tack on the 10K for that Metric rebuild and said car could probably be there...

I agree with the others that a new 113 engine trumps a tired original one in most cases. Do what I did -- save the original engine tag as a souvenir!!

[Iconic]

The engine numbers don't match the body number so numbers matching isn't a huge issue.  I much rather buy a 280 with a solid motor then one that was overly reworked just to say it was the original motor.  .....Jesse

When we (certainly me) speak about matching numbers, we are talking about matching what they were when the car left the factory.
Those numbers can be found on a Data Card or a copy of it from the Classic Center. I don't think we should discount the value of matching numbers, since it is important to other Marques, doesn't it make sense that it will be important with Pagodas.
I was willing to pay more for matching numbers.
I'd bet I'm not the only one.  
So, IMHO, if the engine can be rebuilt so that it is reliable, then it is a better option than throwing it away. If it cannot be rebuilt reliably, then there is no choice and you have to get another block/engine.