junkyard 440 approx price?

A grand is too much for something that might not even be a usable core. Within the last few years I have seen complete 440s carb to pan including a 727 that were DEFINATELY usable cores going for (actual sale price) $600. Granted, they are late model RV engines
(8.2:1 compression) but if you plan on swapping out the guts anyway, who cares?