Warbird Information Exchange

Anybody here know what the ballpark price would be for a Packard built Merlin, zero-time (RCAF overhaul), with no paperwork, that's just been sitting in a hangar for fourty years? Probably ex Northstar or Lancaster. You would consider it as just a really, really good core.

Dan

I have seen some of these zero time Packard-built Merlins fetch up to $30,000, but this includes the paperwork to verify how many hours of service SMOH. It sounds like your Merlin is in need of overhaul if its been sitting dormant for years so I'd say $10,000 to $15,000 would be a good asking price for core value if its in good condition. Its the life-limited parts such as hoses, bearings and seals that would require it to be overhauled and inspected for airworthiness. Since there is no paperwork to verify how many hours it has been in service, you can only get core value out of it. Hope this helps!

Jim

I would have thought that an engine in that condition would be worth a good deal more than $10k. Overhauled engines are $150k and up. If this is a Northstar engine, then I would imagine that it is worth a small fortune, as the transport heads are really hard to find these days, and a highly prized commodity in the air racing circuit. I know that an Alison V-1710 engine in similar condition was sold for $30k here at Virginia Tech... and that was 15 years ago.

Cheers,
Richard

I agree. Our Griffon repair bill was over 100 grand.

Dan

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Is it sealed in a can? Intake and exhausts well sealed? Can it be turned over? You might want to get the dash number off of the data plate.

Hi Dan,

The value of a Merlin is going to vary widely depending on its series and condition. Engines from the Hurricane’s and Lancaster’s are not going to be nearly as valuable as a higher output and latest version of the engine such as a 1650-7, -9 etc, or a transport variant. Intact and is in good condition, the value of those engines should easily exceed $45,000 as a core. An excellent set of transport heads and banks will set you back $20,000 to $30,000.

Even though the engine you are speaking of may be a “fresh” 40 to 60 year old rebuild, it’s not serviceable the way it sits. At a minimum it needs to come apart for new seals and corrosion inspection. You’re more than likely looking at 30 to 50 grand just for that.

Five years ago we began collecting parts to build a spare for the C model. By the time we picked up the finished engine from the builder 3 years ago it cost us just over $80,000. Keep in mind that was three years ago! Roush is now charging $125K to work his magic on YOUR core.

If you contact Hovey, Barrow, Nixon, Roush or Glen Wagmen (Maybe one of them will read this thread and chime in) they would be willing to offer you some more insight into today’s cost. I gotta stop now my knees are gettin’ weak!

John

Thanks everyone for all the input. As always the volume and quality of the information available here never fails to impress.

Dan

About 10or12 years ago I bought a Merlin for $7500, deivered to the Aspen Airport from a man in the Dallas area who had been acitve with the CAF. It was sort of an unknown quanity, as there was no paperwork and it was in a crate in Dallas. My warbird friend Jay Cullum lifted the heavy top of the shipping crate up enough to veryify that there was an engine in there and it was the late model 76, (similar to a Packard -7) that I needed. It was a genuine Rolls Royce. It was used, and did not have all the accesories. I think it had carb, but no mags, can't remembre exactly. There was really no good way to verify the internal conditon, but I purchased it and had it overhauled by Jack Hovey in California. It turned out to be a good basic engine and is the one that I have had in my plane since then. I don't use very high power, don't race it, and it runs very smooth. We have the extra filter system that Jack and the Stalion 51 guys developed as well as a pre oiler and a oil sump heater. This engine has always used Phillips XC 25w-60 oil, except when I can't get it on the road, and we try to do iol changes about every 35 hours, with oil analysis, up from the 25 hours we started at.

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