I'm still looking for the elusive 409 but deep into research.."for I know there will be a time...." So, I'm talking with this guy last night and he tells me not to put hardened seats to run no-lead as i'd be taking a real chance of punching through to the water jacket. Is that a fact? (409= another old unobtainium metal)
Kinda off topic, but what is so special about the 409's? Lots of people are obsessed with them it seems, is there a reason?
The 409 is special for a lot of reasons, one of them being that it is the only engine that I know of that had a song written about it................
First Big Block Chevy First Chevy rated at 400hp First Chevy rated at 425hp They kicked ass in Super Stock (the Mopars DID take that back, but Chevy was first) Factory 2x4 intake (and the little brother 348 came with 3x2) There's nothing like those valve covers First dripper valve covers Nothing like the internal design before or since And yeah, though they made references to other engines in songs (Little Old Lady, Little Deuce Coupe, etc.) it's the only engine they ever wrote a song about. -Brad oh yeah--don't put hardened seats in, you'll hit water. Good valves, good gas, don't be stupid with the timing.
The 348-409 national convention dvd that I have has a lecture from Lamar Walden on it. In case you don't know, he is considered one of the best w-motor guys around. As I recall he said that the heads back then were made of better grade iron and he has run them without hardened seats with no problems. He said between the better iron and the work hardening from years of use made the extra work and risk unnecessary. It's been awhile since I watched it, but I'm pretty sure that's what he said. I'll watch it later and if it's different I'll let you know.
The Jalopy Journal
