Re: 409 engine?

Posted by HalWA on July 29, 2009 at 14:32:06 from (208.81.157.90):

In Reply to: Re: 409 engine? posted by Jon Hagen on July 28, 2009 at 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!

Replies:

• Re: 409 engine? ckcjn 19:20:11 07/29/09 (2)
  • Re: 409 engine? HalWA 21:20:45 07/29/09 (1)
    • Re: 409 engine? ckcjn 13:47:07 07/30/09 (0)

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