Late in 1961 the 409 engine was released. Because of it's late arrival, production numbers were low in the first year. The total production figures for 409's in '61 was only 142!.. All 409's were assembled at the GM Tonowanda plant. The 348 engine was first introduced in October of 1957. The 348 was originally scheduled to be used only in Chevrolet trucks. More cubic inches were needed in the passenger cars so the 348 was used there as well. In the first year, two versions were available; the 4-barrel 250hp and the 280hp equipped with 3-2 barrel carburetor's. Late in 58, another version was released, this time being the 315hp 348.
all you would ever want to know about 348-409 engines and the cars and trucks they were used in. www.348-409.com check it out!
I think '61 to '65 is correct. I knew they were a late year introduction in 1961, and I had a friend who had one in a 1965. This was in '66 or '67, so it was almost a new car then. I remember none of us had ever heard of or seen one, and were quite surprised. It had the unmistakeable "W" valve covers and all the correct 409 trim, so it had to be real.
In the 60's engines sizes were released when the factories got them ready rather than when the new models came out. Big game of "one ups manship". I remember when they bumped the 348 to 409 after Ford bumping the 352 to 390 then Ford to 406.
They were supposed to be fazed out in 64, but Chevy had problems with the "new" 396's and they weren't ready for production when they introduced the 65s. So they used 409's until the 396's were debugged. Larry T
I have seen only 1 '65 with a 409. That was at the Puyallup Race track in about 77-78. Before THEY tore it down to put up houses.
Produced from 61 to early 65. The early 409's were derived from the 348 and had numerous problems. The 62-65 blocks were improved and had no such issues.
Actualy 409s were available as warranty and over the counter replacement engines (trucks, irrigation engines, marine use)into the early seventies, from your Chevrolet dealer. 1965 was the last production year.
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