WTB Buick 300 Block

[BriansMGBV8]

Looking for a 300 block in a any condition. Will be used as a mock-up in fabrication of new intake manifold so it can be a junk block as long as the intake bolt holes are still good and an intake can be mated up. Ideal location is Washington state area. Australia is even better as the block will be shipped there.

[Roverbeam]

I purchased a '64 300 engine, and will be harvesting the crank and heads (and whatever other externals I need). I won't be using the block. I haven't disassembled it yet, although I've pulled the carb & intake off. I'm confused by your request a little- the intake mounts to the heads, not the block. To fabricate a new intake, you'll need a block with heads?

Anyway, I've got the ability to make a stout shipping crate if you're interested in the block. I'm in MO. Happy to coordinate with whatever freight co you select.
Pics available.
-Chad

[BriansMGBV8]

Chad, appreciate the response. You're correct, I misspoke about the mounting details.  I'll verify with the builder of the intakes who resides in Australia. I shipped him an intake already and I believe he has the 300 heads. He builds the Willpower intakes for the Rover and Buick 215 engines and I'm supporting his setting up to build an intake for the 300. Buick 300s are hard to come by in Australia and he's willing to pay the freight which won't be cheap.
Thanks, I'll get back to you.

[tr8todd]

The 300 block is basically a 215 block but its a little taller with bigger bores.  Wouldn't it be cheaper to just cut some steel plate spaces and bolt to a 215 to mimic the extra height?

[BlownMGB-V8]

Not if you are going to be producing an intake specifically for the 300. You also have to match up to the ends because the 215 uses a valley pan but the 300 closes the valley with the intake. Much safer to have the actual block.

Jim

[BriansMGBV8]

Chad, what were you thinking  for cost on the block?

[Roverbeam]

I thought you might ask - I have no idea what a raw block is worth. Based on what I paid for the engine, and subtracting the value of what I'm keeping, it's not worth a lot. I think about $150 is fair, mostly to cover the effort to strip it down and clean it enough to ship and assemble a shipping crate. If you (or anybody else here!) has a better idea of block value, feel free to let me know.

[BlownMGB-V8]

I think that would be about right, for a block that is rebuildable. One that is not has only scrap value. Had I kept the one with a pinhole in the oil galley you'd be welcome to it. But had I kept all such things we'd never find it.

Jim

[Roverbeam]

Here's some pics. Sorry I couldn't stage these better - my shop is crowded these days. I need the excuse to break this engine down and free up the floor space it covers!

[BriansMGBV8]

Not my decision so I'll pass it on. Can you can a cost to crate (your cost?)  & ship (DHL more than likely) to:

5 medinah Ave,
Luddenham NSW 2745,
Sydney Australia

I'm sure it will be costly as just the intake alone cost $300 to ship over.
No hurry.
Thanks,
Brian

[Roverbeam]

I disassembled the engine yesterday (it's in great shape, just been sitting for a long time before I got it). I'll put it on a scale and figure out the needed crate size, and look into the shipping.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Should come out as 140 lbs.

Jim

[Roverbeam]

Ok, using 150# (Jim's reported weight + 10# for a crate), and sitting-at-my-desk guesstimates at a crate size, I get $2167 for DHL and $1896 for UPS.

DHL's website says 150# is their max, so I used that weight - I think it can be met.

[Roverbeam]

Should come out as 140 lbs.

Jim

130.5# actually. Probably half a pound less, since half the chain's length was supported by the block when I tared the scale.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Plus IIRC 8 lbs for the caps and a pound for the bolts.

Jim

[BriansMGBV8]

Chad, freight from Midwest is too much. I'm now searching the west coast. Appreciate your help. If anyone knows of a block in any condition on the west coast please forward my info.

[Roverbeam]

Just out of curiosity, I ran the shipment through UPS again, both from here and from a West Coast address.

The locations came out the same.

But, UPS had a "discount coupon" of 45% off, bringing the total to $1076.

(Not trying to push you or 'sell' you on this block - I'm not making any money on it as you can tell! I was just curious to learn how the shipping might work, and it's fun to be a part of another project when something you don't want might help somebody else.)

[MGBV8]

Forget UPS or FedEx. Take it to freight loading dock.  

Been years, but I payed a $100 shipping for Rover 3.9 that was just strapped to a pallet & put on a semi.  I had to pick it up at a loading dock.

[BriansMGBV8]

Guys, sorry missed your post. I'm kinda the middleman for a guy out of Australia and he's flipping the bill so I'm just forwarding the info. I think it's just bad timing with Covid. All transportation costs are  super over inflated. We're still searching and maybe I'll eventually eat the cost as I believe in the cause but for right now we're in a holding pattern. Sucks, cause I really wanted to have one of the first Buick 300 Willpower manifolds.

[BlownMGB-V8]

You could put him in touch with TA, maybe they could do a joint project something like the Rover heads.

Jim