Technical 409 HP build Horsepower TV

Nice build on this vintage 409, even if it is stuffed with all modern parts.


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under 500HP? should I be impressed? cause Im not feeling impressed. Love old engines and love seeing them put back to use.

 

You don't build W engines or flatheads for crazy power. You build them to lighten your heavy wallet and to make the world a better place.

 

If you would have had that set up in 1962 you have been king of the outback. Not so much today. Bill

 

That was a very cool video, I'm impressed ( I'm a long time 409 fan).
I don't understand how the builder/ dyno operator can rev theses new/rebuilt motors so high with no fear of damaging anything, I've always thought you should drive a new/rebuilt motor easy for "x" # of miles, before running them hard. Can anyone fill me in what what I may be missing? Thanks!!

 

Drive them like you stole it.
Just make sure you bring it up to temp before you hammer down.

 

Once the cam is broken in, the only thing left is the rings.
They need pressure, as in gas pedal movement to break in properly.

Plus, those guys probably put at least a couple of quick "dyno runs" on the engine that were edited out, or not recorded at all to make sure all was well...no oil leaks, no water leaks, good oil pressure, ignition timing set/check, etc., etc.

Mike

 

After break in drive it like you plan to the rest of its life. My old 348 got hammered hard as soon as the break in lube was changed.

 

Well I read several car forums, some not traditional at all and 500 HP out of 409 CI would be considered mediocre at best. In this day of LS swapped/powered, computer controlled/tuned even 750 HP is seen as very mediocre even on the street. However at my age knowing what the 409 meant to performance at the time and a new car generation of gear heads a 409 build even with new performance parts is refreshing. I agree for hot rodders some things don’t have to make sense or impress people.

 

It's for the look and the nostalgia.

I know guys with FWD VW diesels that beat that, and with Hondas with hairdryers that make more than double that.

If power is the goal, old Iron isn't the right tool.

That's not what this site is about, though.

 

Very true! I have a Ford Fiesta ST daily driver with a turbocharged 1.6 liter (97 cubic inches) bone stock that’s rated at 195 HP. A Ford Racing computer tune raises it to 225 plus horsepower.

 

But it don't sound like a 409.

 

But they don't write songs about them.

 

Love the 409, later read that a 406 did the recording honors.

 

That is like comparing your late model Mini Van or sedan to one of our old Hot Rods,,,just not the same even if the late model stuff drives better,quieter and rides better

 

Nobody writes popular songs about old engines anymore.

 

Er;
Hot Rod Lincoln
Thorogood wrote,
Commander Cody's hit 1971.

 

Put the stock valve covers back on it. Prettiest motors ever built!

 

It's interesting how they're reposting those old episodes of the show - that one first aired 10 or 15 years ago on TV.

They probably did run the engine in on the dyno and then change oil before doing any pulls, but that would have been edited out of the show.

 

1955
Like Grumpy said, "Nobody writes popular songs about old engines anymore".

 

I dunno if the cam spec was in there, I fast forwarded a few bits, I would have thought for the money and time it would have more HP. If your doing it for looks or nostalgia seems a waste to put all the good stuff on/in it? if I spend up on that sort of stuff HP IS the goal, just as in was in the 60's and before.

 

Your not choosing the right old iron then.....

 

Show me the old Iron that can give me a smooth idle, and be docile enough to let my 74-year-old mom take it to the grocery store, and make 800hp, while getting 32mpg, at 65mpg.

 

All shooting of new shows has been shut down, due to the pandemic.

Whole show crews are out-of-work. About the only thing keeping many of them afloat is residual income from the airing of shows. It ain't much, but it is better than no help.

 

Time is relative, and does not progress the same way, under all conditions.

For all we know, it might still be 65-years-ago where he is.

 

I'd like to hear about it.

 

This is an old article, Lamar Walden has been dead for over 5 years now.
Lamar was able to get up to around 1000Hp out of his modified 09's.

The engine in the article would be a nice street engine.
A couple of important things they should have said about the build
1. when they put the rear main seal in there are 2 small seals that need to be installed before the rear cap goes on, they didn't mention if you fail to put these in with a little sealant the back of the engine will leak.
2. a few of the exhaust manifold mounting points go into the water jacket, as does the water pump mounting points, always use a good thread sealer.

 

Well that sux . Hell of a lot of people struggling at the moment.

 

S'okay, You live in your era,
I'll live in mine!

 

Lamar did better in 2014:



I’m sure they have probably done better afterwards. Granted it is a new block and heads but they stuck with the original design.