The Worth of a 426 Hemi Engine

Along with the sales of Hemi cars, I’ve been tracking how much 426 Hemi engines sell for. I’ve been doing this for years because it’s interesting. Also, many people want to know, what is a 426 Hemi engine worth?

Original 426 Hemi engines are worth from $15,000 to over $30,000. The price paid depends on if it’s rebuilt, running or not running, a short or long block or if it’s missing any parts. Typically, the later year engines are worth more.

This article will list the sales of engines or blocks and how much they sold for and where. In addition, we’ll examine the dangers of buying a used powerplant and different factors which may affect their values.

The following prices, sales and facts were learned from my personal experience and research, sales listings, auctions, swap meets, forums, webinars, books and articles.

426 Hemi Engine Prices

What determines the worth of almost anything, including the mighty Hemi, is what people are willing to pay.

Let’s take a close look at recent sales and listings.

Auction Sale (Bring A Trailer)

In 2020 a rebuilt original 426 Hemi block was sold for $27,000.

This block was never intended or installed into a Plymouth or a Dodge. It was shipped overseas to the Monteverdi Ltd to use in their Hai 450 SS mid-engine coupe.

The block has the correct casting number, 2468330 and is dated July 1969. The block wasn’t used and made its way back to the States in 1978 and was installed into a boat in 1978.

It was removed from the boat in 2014 and rebuilt by a machine shop in California. The block was rebuilt and maintains its factory bore.

It has its original crank, rods, pistons and heads. The carbs are Carters but not original.

Craigslist Listing

in 2020 someone in New York posted an original 426 Hemi Engine with its numbers matching 4-speed transmission for $38,000 FIRM.

It was a later engine date coded 1969. These are more valuable than the earlier 60’s blocks.

It was complete including the intake, carbs, water pump, fuel pump, oil pump, distributor, coil and clutch fan.

The engine was supposedly low mileage but had a fresh rebuild with new rings, and it had the original bore size.

The listing stated the engine and transmission came out of a 1969 Dodge Super Bee.

The person selling the engine had a dyno printout showing 435 horsepower.

It’s unknown if it was sold or for how much but it gives a good indication of value. Having the matching transmission increases the value compared to selling the engine alone.

The picture above is the actual engine and transmission from the listing.

Hemmings Listing

The complete block minus the carbs is listed for $16,500. The listing is from 2022.

It last ran 8 years ago and has been bored .060 over. It was used for racing purposes. It has the correct casting number with a 1965 production date.

I’m assuming a lot of porting to the heads were done making this undesirable for someone looking to restore an original Hemi car back to factory.

Find out exactly where these engines were built in my article, Where Was the 426 Hemi Built?

Ebay Listing

In a 2022 listing, someone is selling an original factory replacement 426 Hemi short block for $38,000.

The short block is assembled in a crate and includes the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons and bearings.

It is dated 1965 and marked as a replacement block. It was never installed into a car.

Craigslist Listing

In 2019 someone listed a 1968 426 Hemi block and heads for $9,800 on craigslist. It was missing many parts including the following:

• Intake manifold
• Carburetors
• Rocker arms
• Rocker shafts
• Valve covers
• Oil pan
• Distributor

I’m unsure if the crank, rods and camshaft were still there but judging by the price, I’m assuming they weren’t.

Forum Listing

In 2018 someone was asking $20,000 for a complete 426 Hemi Engine with a 1969 dated block. Although the heads and carbs weren’t original. Therefore, it wasn’t a complete original engine.

Forum Sale

Someone in a car forum I belong to bought a 1969 426 Hemi short block for $10,000 with its original bore and low mileage.

Private Sale

The following is a deal between two people who knew each other back in 2005.

A complete 1966 426 Hemi Engine, minus the carbs was sold for $15,500. The condition of the internals was unknown at the time of the sale. Luckily it ran okay with no leaks, etc. It’s still unknown if the block or heads have any previous repairs.

Learn more about the carburetors in my article, The Carburetors on a 426 Hemi.

Back in 1983 I went with a friend to see a complete 426 Hemi engine for sale. The owner had it in his garage sitting on wooden pallets. The oil pan was dented and he didn’t know if the engine ran or had any internal damage. He was asking $3,000 but we didn’t buy it due to all the unknowns. Looking back we should have bought it but it was a lot of money for us at the time.

What Affects the Value

The following affects the worth of a 426 Hemi engine:

• Low production numbers.
• Unavailability.
• The production year.
• Vin number.
• Running or not running.
• Condition (rebuilt or unknown)
• Completeness (missing parts)

Low Production Numbers

From 1964 to 1971 only approximately 10,000 Hemi engines were placed into cars. The street versions were only produced from 1966 to 1971.

There weren’t many of these engines built to begin with. When you count how many may have been trashed due to an engine failure, the overall number shrinks.

Compare that to the 440 which was produced for approximately 13 years in total. It was used in the following:

• Muscle cars
• Large luxury C-body cars like Newports and Imperials.
• Trucks
• Motorhomes
• Boats

Production numbers and how many are left make the Hemi worth more over time.

Find out why the Hemi was banned twice in my article, Why the 426 Hemi was Banned From Nascar.

Unavailability

It’s difficult to find a factory original 426 Hemi Engine block for sale. The few valuable engines out there are sitting in people’s garages or in a car that hasn’t been driven in years.

An original powerplant in its factory original car will remain there. Even if one gets totaled, I think most people will find a way to fix it today.

In the earlier days the blocks found their way out of their birthplace due to wrecks. People had no idea how much these cars would skyrocket in value.

Many of those blocks have already found their way into restorations of Hemi cars missing its original block or drag cars.

Some people have replaced the original engine parts with more high-performance parts for racing applications.

Some of those become available like the one currently listed for sale in Hemmings. Actually, it’s the only one listed there at the time of this writing.

Production Year

The earlier street Hemis, like 1966 are usually worth less than the 1969-1971 engines. Less of them was made later than earlier.

The later 60s and 1970/1971 cars are typically worth more money. The low production numbers of those winged Hemi cars and E-bodies increases their value.

Therefore, engines dated for those years are also worth more. This is because the owners of those rarer cars will pay more for them increasing the value of their cars.

Vin Number

Every block can be identified by its casting numbers and the front ID pad. The casting number and ID pad will identify it as a 426, month, day and the year built.

The last number of the 2nd row on the ID pad tells you which number engine it was built for that day.

On the right side of the block, near the oil pan, is the partial vin number of the car the block was placed into at the factory.

If an owner of an E-body convertible doesn’t have the original Hemi engine and you have it sitting in your garage, you might want to give the person a call.

This would increase the worth tremendously.

Condition

Missing items like the original carburetors, heads, intake, valve covers and similar items will lower the price.

A freshly rebuilt one from a reputable engine builder will be worth more than an original block sitting on someone’s garage floor.

A repairable cracked block will be worth less than a block with no cracks.

Find out what cars had the Hemi in its first year by checking out my article, The First Year of the 426 Hemi.

Problems with Buying a Used Original Block

After 1971 there may have been a 20-year block of time where not too many replacement parts were available.

Many of the original 426 Hemi engines were raced hard on the street and at the track. For this reason, some were:

• Blown up
• Thrown away
• Cracked
• Repaired

Even Chrysler knew not to give a great engine warranty on the Hemi. They knew a driver was going to spend a lot of time with the 8 barrels wide open and spinning those thin tires for miles.

It’s always a mystery breaking down an original engine, especially one with an unknown history.

If it’s possible, always try to get an engine block magnafluxed checking for cracks.

Find out which cars came with the 426 Hemi in my article, What Cars Had the 426 Hemi: Street and Race Hemis.

Some people feel it’s just better to buy a new crate engine from Mopar or an engine builder. At least you know what you’re getting.

Although if you’re doing a rotisserie restoration on an original Hemi car, you’re better off with the numbers matching block. If it cannot be found, try to locate a date correct original block.

Buying a New Generation ll Hemi Engine

It seemed liked yesterday you could buy a cast iron 426 Hemi engine from Direct Connection. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, they only sell 426 Hemi Generation lll crate engines.

Ebay Listing

At the time of writing this article, somebody is selling a Mopar generation ll on Ebay. From time to time you can find these there or elsewhere. The current asking price is $42,000.

It has 426 cubes with 465 HP. It appears to include everything except a carburetor.

Other companies do sell them, but state cast iron may not be available at the time of order. Other companies sell aluminum 426 generation ll crate engines.

Indy Cylinder Head

Indy Cylinder Head has a cast iron 426 Hemi crate engine listed in their website, but it says, call for pricing. Also, it comes with a bigger camshaft and has a little more horsepower than the original Hemi.

Prestige Motorsports

Prestige Motorsports sells an iron block 572 Hemi generation ll long block for $21,499. It does have aluminum heads. You’d have to add the intake, carbs, water pump and distributor.

Ebay Listing (J1 Motorsports)

J1 Motorsports specializes in building generation ll Hemi engines from 426 to 604 cubic inches, iron or aluminum.

They are selling a complete, turn key 426 Hemi Engine for $27,500. It can appear as factory built or with a custom look.

Find out what all the 426 Hemi Engine specs are in my article, 426 Hemi Specifications – Complete Engine Specs.

How Much for a Generation lll 426 Hemi Engine?

Mopar Direct Connection

Direct Connection is selling a generation lll 426 Hemi engine for $29,995. It’s called Hellephant, it’s supercharged and has 1,000 horsepower and 950 ft. lbs. of torque.

It can be installed into any pre 1976 car with the “plug and play” engine kit. Like some of the generation ll Hemis, it comes with no warranty.

At the time of writing this article it was unavailable.

Edelbrock

Edelbrock is selling a generation lll 426 Hemi engine for $26,275.95. It’s supercharged with 808 horsepower and 762 ft. lbs. of torque.

Read More 426 Hemi Articles!

The Last Year of the 426 Hemi

What Makes the 426 Hemi So Special

What Hemi Means in an Engine: Generation 1, 2 and 3 Hemis

How Much An Original 426 Hemi Car is Worth: Recent Prices

426 Hemi Horsepower and Torque – Rated and Real HP

How Fast is a 426 Hemi? 1/4 Mile & 0-60 Results

Transmissions a 426 Hemi Used

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