Video - 409 Chev vs 406 Ford 1963

I've ALWAYS loved the 409 engine (I'm 43, so its before my time).
I have a 425hp 409 in the shop. I hang out at Lamar Walden's shop a bunch.

And I think a multi-carb Ford FE with the finned oval air cleaner, gold valve coves and factory cast-iron headers looks better than a 409.

-Brad

 

Winners.

 

A well set up 327 in the Chevy could have given the 406 a good run. However the deal breaker between 409 and 406 was the weight penalty the Ford was carrying. Ford was quick to realize that the 406 was out classed so they made the 427. IMO the only production engine that the 427 was outclassed by was the Hemi and just barely at that.

 

Yep, and a 1958 430 Mercury Super Marauder would have taken them both (even running the 3 spd).

Those old commercials are fun though, no matter who made them.

Check out the Pure Stock Drag Website for results through out the years. Great information on cars that are as close to stock as possible and running just about every engine / trans combo made from the late 50's to the early 70's.

http://www.psmcdr.com/17.html