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Jon Hagen 07-28-2009 16:32:37 12.175.230.56 32404 Report to Moderator	Read this, No, the 409 truck engine has little value. Chevy W motor [Reply]  [No Email]
HalWA 07-29-2009 14:32:06 208.81.157.90 32407 Report to Moderator	Re: 409 engine? in reply to Jon Hagen, 07-28-2009 16:32:37   The truck engine had modifications for use in medium truck operations which included different measures to lower the compression ratio and using smaller port and valve heads than those that were used in the car 409's. Typically truck engines are used at fairly low RPM's and have to be able to withstand lugging. At least the high performance 409's were set up for running at quite high RPM's and really didn't run that well at low RPM's. So I agree with you that the truck 409 is probably worth lots less than a complete, running high performance 409 would be. But on the other hand, the truck 409 might be of interest to someone who wants to build a 409 to put in a street rod, or even an old Chevy car. Chevy did not build all that many 409's, and the car engines I have seen for sale recently have been very high priced. The truck engine might be a good place to start in building a 409 for street use. In the last few years aluminum high performance 409 heads have become available from the aftermarket, and I think intake manifolds are also around, either new or used. It is possible to machine a 454 or other big block crank to fit a 409, in case the truck crank is not suitable for higher RPM use, and the added stroke/displacement would help to raise the compression ratio that was lowered by the extra machining of the truck block. I think such an engine could be built to run very well, and it would have the famous, distinctive 409 look. While the 409 truck engine is not nearly as valuable as most car 409's would be, I think that it has value and unless it is badly damaged, it would probably be very salable. I would hate to hear that it went to the crusher to be recycled. 409's are neat!   [Reply]  [No Email]
ckcjn 07-29-2009 19:20:11 64.12.116.206 32411 Report to Moderator	Re: 409 engine? in reply to HalWA, 07-29-2009 14:32:06   Yes I have heard of the Beach Boys! LOL! I just wasn't familiar with some of the older engines. Is the truck block the same as the car block? If so someone may want to build one. I just don't want to throw away something that is old and cool. Supposedly it runs I haven't had a chance to try it out. I do know that it is not stuck. Thanks for all your help. ckcjn   [Reply]  [No Email]
HalWA 07-29-2009 21:20:45 208.81.157.90 32412 Report to Moderator	Re: 409 engine? in reply to ckcjn, 07-29-2009 19:20:11   The truck block is similar to the car block, but has some extra machining for a lower compression ratio. As such, it probably is not possible to get as high a compression ratio with a truck block as would be possible with a car block. This might make a huge difference in a race car, but for street use, on today's pump gas, it might be just fine. I would try to get it running. A running engine is almost always worth more than a non-running similar engine, since you can actually verify that it will hold coolant in the water jackets and has oil pressure. Someone will probably want the engine. I would be thinking in the $400 to $1000 range, depending on how worn out it is now. To build a street 409 out of it, I would guess that a person would have several thousand more in parts to build a good street engine, depending on what could be scrounged used at swap meets, plus whatever machining that would be required. If the engine will run, I would be most concerned that it has never cracked anywhere from being frozen or that the water jackets have been allowed to rust away badly. Good luck!   [Reply]  [No Email]
ckcjn 07-30-2009 13:47:07 64.12.116.206 32418 Report to Moderator	Re: 409 engine? in reply to HalWA, 07-29-2009 21:20:45   Thank you all for your help and patience with my questions. ckcjn   [Reply]  [No Email]