Amen to Copper's remarks: "A big block engine (383 and 400) and transmission Not needing an overhaul and a working cooling system included is easily 1200 all day long. Air cleaner to pan and fan to tail shaft for 1000 is a very fair deal. Once you start removing parts (fan and clutch, pulleys, brackets, carb, alt, water pump, manifolds etc) then I would agree that the value for a swap starts to drop. They don't make them anymore and hoarders (like myself) are hard at work scooping them up so I recommend don't delay too long in your choosing." Unless you have easy access to a junk yard or own one, add up the items to "dress" a bare engine from "Greed-bay" or C-list, plus shipping, your time and gas and you'd easily have over half that engine cost invested. See if you can scoop the drive shaft also, the output shaft splines maybe different on your original trans. Even if you need to have it shortened you'll at least have the slip yoke to work with.