409 ?

[mikey531]

I found this on Craigslist near me

http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/1858558229.html

and I got to thinking.... I have my '69 and...


comments?

[70STOVEBOLT]

It's either that or a 348. If it's a 409 that would be kick ass in your 69, especially a dual quad 425 hp version.

[thepunisher]

Is $2500 a fair price for that motor? Seems like a lot.

[cdowns]

it's a huge price to me for a core of a really unknown quality// those parts for the rebuild are even higher for what i'll cost you to get a reliable 375-400HP motor you'd just about b able to buy 3 brand new 300hp crate engines with warrentys

[Longhorn Man]

they were a poor design too in reality.

[Danny Bost]

I agree that it would be much easier and cheaper to buy a newer style motor, and the technology is definitely much better. But there is a cool factor to this plant. I like it. Nothing wrong with being different.

[vectorit]

Those old W head motors are very cool, but to me they are reserved for the guys that are restoring Impala's. Like said above, the parts to rebuild them are very expensive. That and there are only a hand full of builders out there, that really know how to machine and assemble them which equals even more $.

Years ago I got a nice running 348, and I had the same idea you had. But as soon as I shopped for labor and parts, I was quickly discouraged with my idea of being different. I even did a lot of work with Don Blair, who back in the day worked magic on those beasts. He even told me to pass on it.

[292farmer]

hmmm only an hour away...lol i think it would be cool, if i had the time and or money. i'm the kinda guy that likes to be different so i'd say go for it in terms of the idea, but 2500? it better run at least in my opinion, did u call/email maybe typo? 250$ instead? seen it happen honda for 500,000$ not 5000 lol

[mikey531]

These engines rebuilt are going for $7500 plus on ebay and now I just found this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVR...item2c55f254ef

[ratrod67]

If you decide that you are serious about wanting that motor I would make it a condition of the sale that it is checked out by a machine shop before payment is made. That way you are protected against buying a junk motor.

I have been buying and hoarding parts to build a 409 for a couple years now. It looks like it's going to cost twice the price of a good BBC but oh well it's only money right?

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

I think those motors are awsome! I bought a 59' chevy 2.5 ton dumper with a 348 in it for $175! That 409 would look awsome in your 69' chevy.

[rsavage]

Research the motor carefully. In general, I believe that 409 dip sticks were on the right side and the 348's on the left. There were some variations with truck motors and early motors. The early 60's chevy sites will have info on identifying it.

[rsavage]

A couple of years ago, I was at a show with my 66 pickup and in pulls a 66 panel in primer venting nitros through cowl vents. Went over to take a look and it had a sprayed 409 in it. He also had a second 409 on a static stand in the back that he had just picked up for another project. I thought it was too cool. Said he ran it hard and often at the drags and hadn't done anything to it in several years.

[mikey531]

Originally Posted by rsavage

Research the motor carefully. In general, I believe that 409 dip sticks were on the right side and the 348's on the left. There were some variations with truck motors and early motors. The early 60's chevy sites will have info on identifying it.

He has both a 348 and 409 for sale

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

they were a poor design too in reality.

Says the guy with a Cady in his Burb???lol

Mike what are you doing? yea it would be very Kool..practical NO but then again I want to be like LHM so I'm going to take my truck apart today..so your a day closer to those gears!! should be done in a few days??

but like was said be sure its a 409..they make tons of parts for these now check out Speedway Motors for some ideas

[sharpie1972]

There was an old guy around here running a 348 in a 69 C10. He brought it into the shop I was working at to have a freeze plug replaced. Fast forward 5 years and I run into him at the local coffee shop. We start talking trucks, and he says "I'll give you 5 bucks if you can guess what's under the hood" Should have seen his jaw drop when I said 1958 348 with one shiney freeze plug! Sharpie

[vectorit]

Originally Posted by sharpie1972

There was an old guy around here running a 348 in a 69 C10. He brought it into the shop I was working at to have a freeze plug replaced. Fast forward 5 years and I run into him at the local coffee shop. We start talking trucks, and he says "I'll give you 5 bucks if you can guess what's under the hood" Should have seen his jaw drop when I said 1958 348 with one shiney freeze plug! Sharpie

Good one!

[GRX]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

they were a poor design too in reality.

Agreed. I built a lot of those back in the 80's. The oiling system needs help. Particularly the bottom end. If you want some 'wow' factor, go for the 409. Otherwise you'd be better of with a more modern BB in my opinion.

[haysonj]

Heres what you want this is the 425 HP version I had one built by Kieth Blacks shop back in the 70's. I had it in a 63 short Step side and at 65 MPH if you got on it it would break the tires loose.

[RichardJ]

How about a '65 pickup with an original 409 in it? This one is supposed to be documented as an original COPO ( Central Office Production Order )http://http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,265088,265986#msg-265986
Not sure how many were made, but they apparently did exist.

It would make sense to make something like that when they were available with 348's. For a '69 truck it would a lot more sense to use a 396, or 454.

[mikey531]

I am not really looking for a high performance engine just want to be different than every other truck on here. These are pictures of the engines.
The first two pictures are the 409 and the last one is the 348 and then I just found this one !! Maybe an omen? http://nh.craigslist.org/pts/1833637719.html

[1969stepside]

go for it man its your truck do with it as you want dare to swim aginst the current swim up stream

[Davetopay]

1.The "W" designation was NOT a reference to the heads. It was part of the alphabetical series of design studies the development team at GM used to differentiate between the candidates in the big block V8 program.

2. I wouldn't go looking for a ready to run motor, especially if you are looking for speed. Get a clean 409, and swap in a 2 piece seal 454 crank to get a 481 stroker. The mains on the 454 crank will need to be turned down .250" and you will need to turn the snout down to 1.250 and use a 400 SB balancer. You will have to clearance the block a tiny bit for the rod bolts.

Use a 6.135" 454 connecting rod. Eagle makes one that is nice with a bushed small end.

If you are using a big cam with huge spring pressures, swap up to a good small block set of bearings and add the oil feed holes to the number 5 bearing and make sure the cam shaft has a fully grooved rear journal to insure proper oiling to the lifters.

409 heads will take 2.250/1.725 valves with the seats cut to fit as a drop in replacement.

Regular big block rockers will work just fine. Just call your favorite cam grinder to set up specs for your goals.

For improved oiling us e a Melling M99HVS pump with a hardened shaft. It will fit inside a 409 pan. You can adapt a mordern spin on filter mount to make things easier/cleaner to deal with, but the old WIX cartridge style holds more oil.

If I had the time/money/space I'd be all over having a 409 in a 2wd swb.

[mikey531]

Still thinking....

[vectorit]

Originally Posted by Davetopay

1.The "W" designation was NOT a reference to the heads. It was part of the alphabetical series of design studies the development team at GM used to differentiate between the candidates in the big block V8 program.

2. I wouldn't go looking for a ready to run motor, especially if you are looking for speed. Get a clean 409, and swap in a 2 piece seal 454 crank to get a 481 stroker. The mains on the 454 crank will need to be turned down .250" and you will need to turn the snout down to 1.250 and use a 400 SB balancer. You will have to clearance the block a tiny bit for the rod bolts.

Use a 6.135" 454 connecting rod. Eagle makes one that is nice with a bushed small end.

If you are using a big cam with huge spring pressures, swap up to a good small block set of bearings and add the oil feed holes to the number 5 bearing and make sure the cam shaft has a fully grooved rear journal to insure proper oiling to the lifters.

409 heads will take 2.250/1.725 valves with the seats cut to fit as a drop in replacement.

Regular big block rockers will work just fine. Just call your favorite cam grinder to set up specs for your goals.

For improved oiling us e a Melling M99HVS pump with a hardened shaft. It will fit inside a 409 pan. You can adapt a mordern spin on filter mount to make things easier/cleaner to deal with, but the old WIX cartridge style holds more oil.

If I had the time/money/space I'd be all over having a 409 in a 2wd swb.

Interesting write up there!

I've always liked these motors, since they are very different.
My Dad always reminisces about the days he ran around Pasadena in his 409 61 4 speed Impala back in the 60's.