409 truck engine

[Wolfinthesnow]

Hey there fellas, long time no see. Long story short, Im wanting to drop a 409 into my 64, and Ive found out that they are very hard to come by, and very expensive if one is found. Ive done reseach and found that the truck 409s, with the compression relief, isnt such a bad child anymore with the new aftermarket parts for them. Just for starters, with the relief, the compression is dropped by only one point than what a car engine would be. So with aftermarket 10:1 compression pistons, the compression would be 9:1 on the truck block. Follow me? They will also accept 454 rods and crank with minor machine work on the mains. Anyhow, I found one in a 62ish chevy c80. The model emblems are gone, and the cab is a wrap around windshield style. But I know its a 409 due to the dipstick location. Driverside = 409, passengerside = 348. The guy wants $1000 for it if I pull it. The breather cover was leaning on the carb so I know shes drank some water, and I couldnt turn over the engine, but that was expected. Dou you guys think it is worth dealing with? Or should I keep seasrching elsewhere? Ill try to post a pic of it later. The truck is falling apart around the engine if that tells you what kind of shape shes in. Nothing worth saving except the engine...

[blackedoutharley]

I have a '64 409 that had been previously installed in a '65 Biscayne that I wrecked many years ago. I had rebuilt the engine and kept it for that new project car (20 + years now!).

I considered installing it in my '65 C-10 but the engine is worth more than the truck.

Personally, I feel that a grand is too much for a core engine that may or may not be rebuildable.

YMMV

[71swb4x4]

I believe the oil pans on the 348 and 409 are interchangable so don't use the dipstick as a sure way of telling the 348 and 409 apart. You really need to check numbers.

The 409 will defenitely end up being a lot more expensive than a 454 rebuild.

[Wolfinthesnow]

I know it sounds like alot. The cheapest non-running 409 on ebay right now is $1500. But we all know that on ebay everything is worth top $$$. None the less, I know the engine isnt going anywhere.

[Wolfinthesnow]

Heres a picture of the olde beast. Not much to look at. Her surroundings are a nightmare of rust and electrical wires. If one pulls it they will need to have a tetnis shot before hand...

[raycow]

If you really want a 409, they aren't going to get any cheaper and that one isn't going to get any better from sitting out in the weather.

On the other hand, if you just like the look, get a 348. Those are still fairly affordable.

Ray

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I know its a rare motor, but a rusty non-running one thats been sitting for $1000? Please be sure you defenitely want that 409. You can buy a running 454 and some of the aftermarket parts you'd want for $1000.

[Rogue]

348/409 engines are way cooler than rat motors.

[blackedoutharley]

True but remember that cooler means expensive.

I was shocked to find out what my 409 could be worth