Knocking 340

What I don't get is why a guy that builds and races is selling a 340 for 1200 , like you say it's a 6000.00 engine over there , why would he not just fix it and run it if it's such a small problem ? he builds engines after all , I just don't get it if I were to sell one of my running 340's i would not give them away like that ,if they were indeed in good condition .
something strange here .
Good luck .