Hey guys, I have an opportunity to pick up an old GMC pickup with what the owner says is a 409. Is there any way to tell the difference without running the numbers? I'm a youngin and have never messed around with those motors,so i don't know poop about 'em. I can get it REAL cheap, so should I just pick it up anyway?
GMC? what year? and check the dipstick. Pass side=409, driver's side=348 BUT it might be different with trucks. Just see if you can peek over the engine to the back of the block just to the driver's side of the distributor and get the last 3 digits of the casting # on the block. I have my magic book ready. Travis
it's actually an early 60's (63?) wrecker, but the body's gone (I'm in MI) I'll try to get out there in the next day or 2 to check it out. The hood hinges are fried. I could barely get the hood open enough to tell that it was in fact a 348/409 style motor. Single 4 on what looks to be an iron intake.
63 could be either 348 or 409. In the big trucks, the base motor was the 348 and then the upgrade was the 409. Best way to tell is to get that casting #. And to be honest, these motors are dogs but look cool. LOTS of torque. If it's dirt cheap and it runs then its probably worth it. Travis
Well I'm not sure if it runs, but it's in decent shape externally, and actually..... it's not dirt cheap, it's dirt free ! I just don't know if it's worth the time and trouble to pull it.
In that case, pull it and use it for trade bait! That's what I am doing these days. Some dude is giving me a 53 buick 2-door hardtop, a 53 Olds 2-door coupe, and a 53 Olds 2-door sedan and another dude is giving me a 56 Ford. I'm using all of them for self improvement and for throwing $$$ and favors/trades at my Impala. And I need the distributor and a few pieces off that thing if you decide you don't want to pull the entire engine out. Travis
cool. it's a friend of my dad's and he's got aa buncha shit like that. I'm gonna talk to him and see if he'd get pissed if EBAY made me rich selling parts that I lifted from out behind is farm. (He's also got 2 53 plymouth 4 dr's, bodies are pretty solid for 50 yr old MI cars, need floors and interiors, he say's batteries and ether and they'll run, $300 for both, i thought those would be good trade bait)
the 348/409's are great motors, i have a 348 in my 29 coupe, and i love it, and its NOT a dog. i put a cam in it, and 3x2's, and it really woke it up. if you can get it for free, i would definately build it, whether it be a 348 or a 409. if you have any questions go to 348-409.com and search the new forum.
HotRod29... You're right... but this is a low comp truck motor we are talking about with little heads etc. I run a 3x2 348 in my 59 and I love it to death. I just think that the truck engines are not all they're hyped up to be. Actually... truck engines make great blower engines (the shortblock). And yes... I agree with the 348-409.com site. They're good. Travis
Before you do anything count the spark plugs. GMC made a V-6 that had similar looking heads. Could be one of those. Just a word to the wise.
HRTH, Ya better get it either way. They look way cool in a hot rod. BTW it was nice meeting you guys last weekend. Get yer buddy with the wangon on here. The photoshoppers will have a ball with his wagon. Are ya listenin hatch??
I seem to recall an industrial use engine that was even smaller cu " than 348. Saw one in a roller/vibrator/compactor once - long time ago, so no details. Don't know if GMC used any of those in the trucks...
As I recall, Kustombuilder is (or was?) pretty hot to get his hands on a W-motor. He lives in Charlotte, MI (near Lansing)...maybe see if he wants it? Just a suggestion!
I know Kustombulder! Maybe I'll have to tease him with it! It was good to meet you too fuelpump , and no, we haven't got the wagon guy on here yet, he's not much of a computer geek, He'll need help! The guy that has that truck says it's a 409, but you know how that goes...
HRTH, FAB32 and I are headin over to Kalamazoo in a couple hours. I'll just tell him that we can drop the 409 off at Mike's on the way by
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