The figure is not out of reason but it is when the person is just trying to capitalize on the fact that he has it and someone else needs it. That is not wrong and is what makes the world go around but I can see Marty's point. He never intends to sell his car so having the numbers matching engine will do nothing for him other than piece of mind knowing it was reunited with the original car. Marty and I have talked in length over dinner the other night regarding the engine and it is nothing more than a (now) built 454 with wrong dated heads, a tunnel ram and two fours which hasn't been run in MANY years. This would be a $4000 engine to anyone else and I think Marty is somewhat being held hostage because it should be with him and his car. I don't think the other person is necessarily wrong for trying to get the most money but Marty is the only one who would give him that kind of money. I think it would be nice if they could meet somewhere in the middle and make it a win/win situation.
The engine is EASILY worth $10K if Marty intended on selling the car in the near future as he would more the recoup his investment but in his situation, he would be spending a lot of money for something that will not do anything for him. He has three girls to put through college and fortunately, that is where his priorities are.