How to sell an engine project

Years ago I started building a hot volvo B18/B20 to put in a Miata. Through many changes in life/cars that didn't happen. I would love to get the engine/parts out of my storage unit and maybe recoup a little of my money. How do I go about pricing and listing that sort of thing? I assembled the engine and realized that I hadn't set the crank endplay so I tore the engine back apart and it sits in pieces. So all the parts have been put together, but everything is new and unused. I have receipts for all the parts so I at least know what they cost 5 years ago. How would I go about valuing parts like this though? What kind of places should I list something like that? Just stick to volvo enthusiast pages?

Paging Volvoclearinghouse to the white courtesy phone

ebay might be a good place. List for higher prices than you would for say a forum, because there are fees and stuff. But ebay gets a lot of eyes to your listing. For specialized stuff that is shippable, it is great.

oh, also, put some thought into if you want the stuff gone quickly, or if you want money. Usually you don't get both.

Is it better to list stuff separately or lots? I figure separately is more money, but some things, like an overbored block, with matching pistons and rings should be kept together. Big thing, though, is figuring out how to price unused, but assembled parts.

I have storage space and I don't need the money. I'm willing to spend a little more time holding out, but don't want to wait forever.

Your challenge is to convince me that the engine was in fact rebuilt and if possible that it was rebuilt properly. If the head is off I can see the bore and the new pistons. I would also be able to see the valve faces for what it is worth.

On the bottom end, clean internals and invoices for bearings and whatnot would go a long way.

I bought a punched out B18 engine project just like yours off of eBay a number of years ago. It had uprated valve springs, IPD cam, new front and rear housings with hi-temp seals, etc. Pretty much everything needed to assemble.  IIRC I paid $550 for the whole lot. I ended up using an E head for the final build and found out the crank needed to be turned as it wasn't right. As a project, I was ok with the price I paid. Luckily I had a buddy in PA who could grab it all and bring it down to FL on a road trip he was taking with his wife. Shipping everything would have been $$ as it was a pallet worth of stuff. 

Try listing on the usual Volvo sites and see if you get any hits. Make sure you post it here, too!

The engine was not rebuilt. It was assembled, then disassembled. I have a collection of parts. The only thing assembled is the head: cleaned, decked, new valves, springs, keepers, retainers, seats.

I guess I'll go through every part with the receipt and mark them at, 50-75% of original and take whatever offer comes to me?

In reply to buzzboy :

You might get lucky and someone wants it. Then because it's old they want it cheap.
I've given up on trying to sell engines. I bought or got free 50 Jaguar V12's checked them out before storing them. I asked $700 for a complete running with a guarantee I'd take as low as $500. In 15 years I sold 15. 

Start with a complete list of what is included (also whether new or used) and what is needed. Looking back at your original parts costs is a frustrating way to do it. Seeing that the head is "done" is a plus, but have any improvements been done to it? Porting, 3 angle valve job, double springs, etc.?

frenchyd said:

In reply to buzzboy :

You might get lucky and someone wants it. Then because it's old they want it cheap.
I've given up on trying to sell engines. I bought or got free 50 Jaguar V12's checked them out before storing them. I asked $700 for a complete running with a guarantee I'd take as low as $500. In 15 years I sold 15. 

 

Dang. You should start a Spec v12 series or something :)