Thread: 409 Buildup for a '63 Impala.

Tweet

I've been elected by my uncle to find and build a 409 for his '63 Impala.

Can someone break it down for me? I need the stroke and bore size.

What is the difference between the 348 and 409? Can I build a 409 out of a 348? Are the blocks the same?


Any help is appreciated.

You'd have to bore the 348 block 0.188" to fit a 409 piston. I don't think you could do it without hitting water. Here's a chart from Stan Weiss that will help you.........
http://users.erols.com/srweiss/tablersn.htm

I have read some chatter about using a 396/427 crank (3.766" stroke) or a 454 crank (4.000" stroke) by turning the main journal diameters down to the 348/409 size. The bore centers are the same on the two generations of engines, so the later crank will lay in the saddles.

Fever, I've seen a few on eBay, they get a bit spendy. Might want to try www.racingjunk.com, I've found a lot of good parts on there.......Like all the rest it is of course a buyer beware deal. I've been lucky buying off of there so far.......

Originally posted by techinspector1
You'd have to bore the 348 block 0.188" to fit a 409 piston. I don't think you could do it without hitting water. Here's a chart from Stan Weiss that will help you.........
http://users.erols.com/srweiss/tablersn.htm

I have read some chatter about using a 396/427 crank (3.766" stroke) or a 454 crank (4.000" stroke) by turning the main journal diameters down to the 348/409 size. The bore centers are the same on the two generations of engines, so the later crank will lay in the saddles.

yes it has been done one of my customers did the 4.000 stroke in a409 and the nose of the 454 needs to be turned down to and i think the rear main thrust needs work . if you have 348 i do not think you can make it a 409. i have rods and crank348. that is nice stuff if you need it crank is fresh turned and the rods are stock .

Originally posted by techinspector1
You'd have to bore the 348 block 0.188" to fit a 409 piston. I don't think you could do it without hitting water. Here's a chart from Stan Weiss that will help you.........
http://users.erols.com/srweiss/tablersn.htm

I have read some chatter about using a 396/427 crank (3.766" stroke) or a 454 crank (4.000" stroke) by turning the main journal diameters down to the 348/409 size. The bore centers are the same on the two generations of engines, so the later crank will lay in the saddles.

been there, done that . 10k later i finished my stroker 476ci 409
there are so many little things that you have to do to fit the crank ,special pistons ,
mine was a 65 409
12.5 to 1 , 454 crank ,eagle rods , comp roller , lamar walden waterpump,and valve covers , msd , dual 500 cfm , made 602hp
wicked motor but very expensive ,
oh and to make the stroker you have to custom machine a starter head .

So, the 348 is a different block. Will the heads work? This is just a stock engine build for a '63 Impala SS he is restoring. I have nothing to start with. I see there are performance heads and dual quad intakes but a low performance 409 would be fine.

Thanks men..

the heads would work and the tin bolts from 348 but if you do not have the 409 block hang on for a shocker they are not cheap seen a 409 go for over 5000 on ebay that needed to be rebuild and on the 454 crank you use a 396-454 3/8 truck rod and ross pistons being the chamber is in the block i do not think you could bore the 348 to a409 you may have good luck buying a hole truck from a farmer to get the 409 have seen them in beat trucks and they do not have many miles on them but hard ones ?

I found one on Ebay I'm bidding on now in a '62 fire truck with low miles. He says purrs like a kitten, never been into and has 12k and change miles. It's a 409 passenger block with HD truck heads. Says it came like that new in the truck in 1962. I don't think I will beable to get it without my uncle taking out a second mortage, selling all his other belongings, quits hunting/fishing, and pimps out his wife, then make a huge loan.

Originally posted by camaro_fever68
[ and pimps out his wife, then make a huge loan. [/B]

it this point it maybe good not to say any thing so i will not