55 Chevys with 348-409 let's see em

Got any pics of 55 Chevys with 348-409s

 

ive allways thought that would be the right thing to do with a 55 cant believe no-ones posted any pics yet

 

give it time, most threads take off after a few days, not a few hours.....

 

I dont have any pictures - but a friend had a 55 210 in the early 70s that had every thing out of a 63 impala 409 with 2-4s -4spd -411 posi . had cut qtrs & a van front axle man what a runner . he missed a curve one night and folded the axle back to the toe boards,he sold the rest of the good parts & sold the rest for scrap

 

In about 1963 a local car theif in our area had a 55 Chevy with a dual quad 409 in it. He bragged openly that he only had $ 400 in the car because he stole a brand new Impala off a dealers lot, swapped in the 409, 4 gear, and posi rear end.

I heard a few years ago he was found dead in the trunk of a car. I guess he stole one too many cars and it caught up with him.

So yes, there were some 55's back then running 348-409 motors.

Don

 

A buddy of mine has single 4 bbl 64 409. Hopefully we can get some pics going here soon! Might be a motor change in the near future.

 

I know a guy in Austin who has a set of 409 heads that were supposedly one of 11 made, or something like that. He showed me them next to a set of regular 409 heads, they had much larger ports and valves. The ports were cast, not ground out. Anyone heard of those?

 

http://jvm.smugmug.com/Racing/Gasser-Reunion-June-1/i-mB9hpqJ/0/XL/DSC5694-XL.jpg

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Phantom 409 has got to be one of the best! And he's a HAMB member, I was waiting for him to post.

As far as the "big" heads go, all of the high performance 409 heads have much taller ports than standard heads. They're not like hens teeth, but pretty pricey if you have to buy a pair. Or I guess they could be Z11 heads, but then they would be for a 427 not 409.

Here's an engine I just finished putting together for a customer. It's a numbers matching QB (425 HP) for his 63 Impala SS.

And another picture of the Phantom 409.
Larry T

 

I saw this beautiful 55 at the Milltown show last August

 

It is the per say correct vintage engine for a 55...........The American Graffiti 55 I thought should have used a 409 because the movie was based in 62. JMO

 

The phantom 409 is badass. I'm a hemi guy but a 409 is right up there also.

 

The more I think about it it is the perfect hot rod motor for a 55!

 

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/features/1201sr_1955_chevrolet_hardtop/photo_03.html

 

That is why they didn't open the hood in the movie. The 1/64 scale collectibles that came out a few years ago, do have a 409 in them.

 

I have the large scale model of (Al)falfas 55 Chevy and it also has a dual quad 4 oh 9. In the movie the 55 was suppose to have some kind of mystery engine and a new 4 oh 9 would fit that bill. Well, I'm savin' my pennies and I'm savin' my dimes...................

 

The Z-11 heads are for the W-motor, there was a 427 iteration of that engine. Z-11 heads will NOT fit on the Mark IV engine.

 

I thought so too. Here's mine. 1960 348 300hp 3 deuce motor. There are not as many of these around as you might think. People stop and stare when they see a 348 instead of a 350!

 

Had a '55 Chev. 150 4dr. with a dual quad '62 409 back in the '70's. 3 spd. 4:11. Learned how to change trans and rearends in very short times, broke a lot of them. Made money with it tho, nobody believed the little chrome 409 numbers on the front fenders and I wouldn't open the hood.

 

I guess I learned something, I thought all Z-11s were 427 cubic inch W motors. And if they were then the heads in Austin for a 409 wouldn't be Z-11 (by definition).

 

Always wanted one in mine.. If I ever get ahead again, that may be in her future....

 

Cool thread! I remember at least four W-motored 55's around these parts way back when. Don't know why I didn't build one as I had many of each. Still got a couple pair of motor mounts and a dropped center link to clear that BIG old oil pan. Also got some 409's.

 

read this link on the Z-11
http://www.348-409.com/z11.html

 

I had a 56 BA 2dr ht that I put a 348 tripower from a wrecked 55 BA ht. In 68, it was outdated, but it looked cool to me.

 

these pics don't do this car any justice. it's one of the nicest 55s you'll ever see. the red flake vinyl interior is just out of control. every where you look on this car is just right. love it.

 

same black 348 55, taken 5 years ago at Alterboys old Ralph's Diner show.




I've seen it in my town, I think it might be local. Either it has drag gears or he was in 3rd going past my house

 

Here's my 55 Belair convertible 409/4 speed

 

here's mine in mockup

 

My '55 shoebox with 409.
Was going for the American Graffiti look.

More info here......

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/features/1201sr_1955_chevrolet_hardtop/