Lady in Distress

**Low drag - High speed** · 09-30-08, 09:53 AM

I need some ideas to help a sweet lady with big financial problems. Her hubby died of cancer two years ago without insurance or survivor benefits, but he had lots of big toys. So she's been selling power boats, travel trailers, pickup trucks, tools, hot rods and everything she could to pay off debts and keep a roof over her and her son's head.

Not much stuff left and she WILL NOT sell the Corvette (see why I love her?). So here's the thing ... the big shop this guy had built is full of Rat Motor parts. Three complete 454s and about ten tore down and scattered around in boxes and corners. How do I determine what guts go to what motor so I can gather them together and sell them as rebuild core engines? Any books or manuals that will make the task easier with part numbers and whatever?

I don't want a penny from it, but you know she keeps me smiling all the time. This can keep her home together until we are able to merge our lives.

Any suggestions?

**Yoda** · 09-30-08, 10:05 PM

Bob,

Hmmm, I see the suggestions are rather slow coming in, so I copied this to the Other Chevrolet Discussions Group Area..

If this doesn't produce some help, I'll just pack this up and move it again.. Hang in there someone around here is bound to help out...

I'll monitor this and we'll figure something out, sooner or later

Bud

**Low drag - High speed** · 10-01-08, 09:44 AM

My thanks. If nothing comes up, I'll still find a way, but this forum of experts and aficionados holds a teasure trove of knowledge and experience. I'll also poke around the site and look for nuggets.

You da man!

**6880 Mike** · 10-02-08, 09:29 AM

There are several big block rebuild books. Most of them carry part numbers.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-Yo.../dp/0895861755

Two or three of these will help you identify what she has.

**67HEAVEN** · 10-02-08, 09:40 AM

For the scattered about engines and parts, and assuming that several blocks are of the same displacement, you'll want to accurately measure the bore of each block to try to match up the appropriate pistons that came from that engine. Likewise with cranks, rods, etc. There may have been machine work performed to some of the engines over the years.

Hopefully, the pieces from each engine were kept together, but it sounds like probably not.

Good luck. Remember, no good deed goes unpunished.

**bossvette** · 10-02-08, 11:03 AM

Why not sell the parts separately; you may make more money that way.

**Low drag - High speed** · 10-03-08, 11:32 AM

Good stuff, Guys. The books will also give me the specs for measuring bores. Looks like a few of the piston and rod sets are race parts, so they should be easier to group together, especially if the block was punched out to take them.

She's cooking me lasagna tonight and tomorrow we cruise in her sweet red '95 coupe. I love how she punishes my good deeds .......

I'll keep you posted ... except for the naughty stuff.

**Low drag - High speed** · 10-08-08, 09:37 AM

It's working. I bought the book and was able to gather together and sell two 454 rebuildable cores for $500.00 each. I also have some interest in three used long blocks at $700.00 each. And I was able to move out assorted custom parts like valve covers and aftermarket distributors for a couple hundred more.

She still has about six more engines and a lot of extra parts and the word is out, so it's helping her a lot. Amazing what just a couple suggestions can do. Thanks guys.