Technical 409

I though of this question because I have the song 409 stuck in my head. Since I probably will never be able to afford a 409 is there anyway you can build one using a different block, pistons and bore it out. I don't plan to do this with my car I'm just curious.
Thanks.

 

You could get a 400 Cu. In. block and maybe bore it to get to 409 Cu. In. You would then have an engine that displaces 409 cubes but you WILL NOT have a " 409 " . Giddy-up Giddy-up.

 

You can come up with a combo for both a BBC and a SBC to hit 409 - but it won't EVER look like one.

But 348's are the same basic motor and MOST folks can't tell the difference by looking, especially if you use the 409 oil pan

 

I'm no expert on the 348/409 engines, but I don't think you can use any other block since those engines had quite a bit of the combustion chamber in the cylinder bore, and the angle of the deck was not perpendicular to the bore. I suppose you could build a motor that had 409 cubic inches using another platform, but it wouldn't have those cool "W" heads and valve covers.

 

Not really, the heads won't fit any other block, and I don't think you can open up a 348 big enough to make a 409, although from the outside, both engines look pretty much alike. Could throw a sticker on the valve cover and most wouldn't know.

Unless you just want any 409 inch engine, I think you could bore a 400" small block out .060" and get there.

 

My BB is a 408, no one can tell the difference from a 396. Build what you want and put 409 stickers on it.

 

Just make sure it turns out lookin like this

 

Or this

 

Or this.

 

Or this

 

Wrong, the right 348 block and a few crazy parts and you can go over 400+ cubes, like high 400s

 

I did not know that. I had heard that you could adapt some other crank into them but I didn't think you could get one that big! I have a '61 348 in my '53 Ford from high school.

 

My 409 is 474 inches and the blown 348 is 380 inches. The 348 has been built to 434 with a 4 inch arm, and the 409 has been 511 or more.

 

You cannot build a W motor without using W motor parts.

but a 402" conventional big block chevy is just a 396 punched .030 so I wouldn't imagine that a 409 would be much of a stretch maybe with a crank turned offset a little bit.

That said even if you did build one to 409" it would not be the lump in the song.

 

If you want the 409 look and not just some random 409, you are stuck with finding a real 409. They have odd engineering just like the Ford FE series engines with their intake manifolds that go under the valve covers. Here are a couple pictures showing the 409 block and heads. The true wedge-shaped combustion chamber is 100% within the block, the heads are just flat covers that hold the valves.

 

just build a 348 if you want a cheaper w engine. looks pretty much the same and it's almost as cool

 

Actually either engine can be made to run, and the truth is if you keep an eye out either engine comes up as core once in a while reasonably priced. Out of my budget but reasonably priced.

 

You can change the Beach Boy lyrics from "She's real fine, my 409" to "She's real great, my 348"

 

But what ya gonna say when someone asks (and they will) "Is it a REAL 409?"

 

Well just lie about it, its bragging rights and no one is going to pull it down to find out.

 

Yeah, but you can go to hell for lyin' the same as you do for stealin', and there is a bit of pride in saying "Yes it is"

 

I always hope that hell isn't too full of ministers when I get there, unless of course they let me into the good place on appeal.

I have been around cars literally all my life and you would be surprised how much lying goes on, even among the pros. Hell one dead custom guy has been taking credit for another man's work since gawd knows when and I doubt he never lost a minutes sleep over it.

 

Well, lying about your setup is pretty much required if you're racing.

440+6 look around at 409, 348's. They're great engines but you'll have quite a bit wrapped up either build. If you just want all out power there are better choices. If you want a 409 and the look, see if you want to spend the cash. I have a rebuilt '62 409 409 hp with impala matching numbers and dates coded dual 4's, that could be considered for sale, how bad you want it, it's not cheap.

348 with a stroker crank is a good build, finding a good core to work with on either 348 or 409 is a trick, sometimes you end up with a few engines to make 1. Don't let truck blocks scare you away, if you do the stroker crank you have to step up to good aftermarket pistons anyway, so you have flexibility in compression range.

 

LOL I can remember when you couldn't give a 348 away. Time changes things.
409s have always been dear.

 

Well I can say mine is a real 409 for now stock stroke and bore.

 

"Yes, as far as you know".

 

Just lie, then you can park with the cool kids.

 

Hey i like that one!


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

More than you can handle.