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409's-Legend or Boat Anchor?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HotRod28AR, Dec 9, 2006.

  1. coilover
    Joined: Apr 19, 2007
    Posts: 696

    coilover
    Member
    from Texas

    Before the subject comes up the pretty valve covers had to go.
     
  2. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,052

    wicarnut
    Member

    Back in my day, Milwaukee Wi. 60's, neighbor young couple had 62/63? Red Impala SS, 409, 2x4, 4 speed w/ Street slicks, King of local Street racing until the Mopar Hemi, BBC Chevelle, Camaro cars showed up. Best part was the 100# wife drove the car when racing for $$$, husband would miss shifts, think I remember the name "Night Train" on side. Alot of Street racing back then, did some myself, but had to pick and choose my races, did not have the funds to be a top dog, just a puppy having fun !
     
    0NE BAD 51 MERC likes this.
  3. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    Just as I said. Not ONE taker to run one of our Boat Anchor powered cars at the NHRA HRR. It's easy to be a key board bully and post something you know nothing about.

    Gary
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2016
    61Cruiser, 1934coupe and Max Gearhead like this.
  4. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    I will be there with two of them if things go as planned.
     
  5. ...I don't know much about them, but I know they have a sound of their own flyin thru the lites at the big end,...music!
     
  6. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    I wonder how the new 409s are as compared to the original. You can buy new heads, new block (they sell a all aluminum block and heads) new internals.
     
  7. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    They just keep going faster.
     
    jcmarz likes this.
  8. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    They did make some changes that were a big help.
     
  9. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    I would guess they fixed that heat spot. If I win the Lotto, I'll have one built and drop into a very wicked 55 Chevy, and then go hunting for a piss yellow, puke green deuce coupe. Suppose to be hot stuff.:D
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2016
    Truckdoctor Andy and 61Cruiser like this.
  10. BSL409
    Joined: Aug 28, 2011
    Posts: 623

    BSL409
    Member

     
    saltflats and Torkwrench like this.
  11. jhl1963
    Joined: Dec 15, 2009
    Posts: 24

    jhl1963
    Member
    from ny

    Any of the old issues remain with the new BM blocks (if anybody has experience?) thanks
     
  12. BSL409
    Joined: Aug 28, 2011
    Posts: 623

    BSL409
    Member

  13. BSL409
    Joined: Aug 28, 2011
    Posts: 623

    BSL409
    Member

  14. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,213

    sunbeam
    Member

    The 409 had the shortest stroke of the day in 400+ cu inch motors so you would think high RPM. The draw back to get high compression from the odd combustion chambers the factory pistons were heavy. You've heard speed kills at high RPM reciprocating weight kills.
     
  15. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    Those factory two piece valves sure took a tole on some back in the days.
     
  16. Kan Kustom
    Joined: Jul 20, 2009
    Posts: 2,739

    Kan Kustom
    Member

    This long running thread proves they are a legend. It always brings out swinging, both sides of the argument.
     
    Stogy likes this.
  17. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    I became a legend in my own mind with one. ;) :D
     
    61Cruiser, Stogy, Kan Kustom and 3 others like this.
  18. Of course they are legendary......As I recall, they were unbeatable on the drag strip until they came apart.
    My only personal experience with one was when I was 20. I sat in the back of a 57 Chevy 150 business coupe with no back seat. The kid that owned it just pulled a 409 engine complete with 2 fours and four speed out of a wrecked Impala and installed it. When he punched it I thought I was going to go through the trunk. Awesome torque. I was a Ford guy at the time, but that was impressive, had a sweet spot for them ever since. I now have a 348 in a 34 truck but I know there is a world of difference in them.
     
    Stogy, Max Gearhead, i.rant and 2 others like this.
  19. DesertRat#1
    Joined: Nov 12, 2018
    Posts: 57

    DesertRat#1
    Member

    I owned a 1962 Impala SS 409 4speed from 65 to 67. Black on red with bucket seats 2 door hardtop. Got married with that car. Traded it in for a 66 chevelle when our son was born. Got so many tickets they cancelled my car insurance.
     
    flyin-t, 61Cruiser and blowby like this.
  20. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Easier to tell you never heard of California, or Gas Rhonda. (1960-'61 Ford FEs)
     
  21. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    I used to tune a black '63 Impala 409, Muncie 4 speed, 4.11 car, later traded a car and some $$ for it. Ran Fremont drags, 13.30s, won a few, lost most. Then...
    As most of my competitors were 'cheating'(Imagine!) I went for the Elgin cam, Jardine headers, E series AFBs, and did some close match work on ports.
    Suddenly...I was in the 12s!!! (high 12s, but 12s nonetheless.)
    Casual pal Tommy Groves suggested I trade the 'family car 409' in on a 426 Dodge...
    I did, but before that:
    Jimmy Liebermann had a '58 Chev Biscayne with a '62 409 in it. He hung around Goodies Speed Shop, was always begging for 'a ride'... He got one, or two...LOL
    Anyway, he had a beautiful black '57 Bel Air that he and his Dad installed the '58's 409 into. He asked me to help with headers...I did.
    The '57 had an M21 behind the 409, and a 4.56 posi. Traction Masters were fitted, and Jimmy took me for a ride. Not impressed...too-low gears cancelled out otherwise notable torque factor, car climbed gears fast, but "Can you have too many gears?"
    Jimmy asked me this, he was working on fast shifts...
    The same Jimmy had this high voice, 'Ramar of the Jungle' was airing on TV at the time. I joked with him about his voice sounding like actor Johnny Weismuller, ('Ramar', and previously star of 'Jungle Jim' series. I called him 'Jungle Jim', he loved it.
    At the time, he had talked Richard Guess (owner of Goodies') into driving chores in 'Brutus', original name of Rich's wife Toni's Chevy ll with the Courtesy Chevrolet factory experimental 327 kit.
    Jungle Jim is now legendary, Never said I 'taught him everything he ever knew', nothing like that...
    But I did teach 'Mr. 409' how to play blues harmonica...
    R.I.P., Jungle...
     
    bowie, Stogy, pitman and 4 others like this.
  22. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    DSC_3509.JPG
    He had more inches, but I had more carburetors. ;) :oops: :D
     
    Stogy, mgtstumpy, Boneyard51 and 4 others like this.
  23. oldsman41
    Joined: Jun 25, 2010
    Posts: 1,556

    oldsman41
    Member

    I think stock nothing to talk about if you do some work they are ok. Me if i could afford one it would be 427 or 454
     
  24. Elcohaulic
    Joined: Dec 27, 2017
    Posts: 2,212

    Elcohaulic

    I remember my first drive with the 454 (brand new), I was ruined for life...
     
  25. 34Larry
    Joined: Apr 25, 2011
    Posts: 1,701

    34Larry
    Member

    You shit'n me????????? My hemi out shines any 409/348 in looks any day of the week.
    Built a 348 once in Wichita for a buddy. Wasted time and money as far as I was concerned.
     
  26. Boneyard51
    Joined: Dec 10, 2017
    Posts: 6,440

    Boneyard51
    Member

    James, you keep putting me in the movies! ( pictures)!
    That’s my wife and I on the top row between the umbrellas, watching you do your thing! That was some good racing, for sure!


    Bones
     
    61Cruiser, Stogy and saltflats like this.
  27. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    Glad we could entertain and capture the moment for you and yours. :)
     
    Stogy and Boneyard51 like this.
  28. 64T-bolt
    Joined: Aug 6, 2007
    Posts: 170

    64T-bolt
    Member
    from Kansas

    I just read all 21 pages in one setting, and the best post was right here... thank you for sharing.


    Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    bowie and Tickety Boo like this.
  29. countrytravler
    Joined: Oct 27, 2012
    Posts: 164

    countrytravler
    Member

    409 won the 500 in 61. MMMM
     
    Max Gearhead and saltflats like this.
  30. countrytravler
    Joined: Oct 27, 2012
    Posts: 164

    countrytravler
    Member

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