My 409/'55 Chevy Project

[Monk]

Well I've got some time to start my project thread.
The car...'55 Chevy post.
This is a dream build for me, one I've wanted to do since I was 17.

The engine.......vintage Chevy 409. It's a truck block which is the
more desirable block to have for building. It has the extra large notch which
the car blocks do not have.

Currently the engine is at machine shop being bored and fitted
with 4 bolt main caps from Pro Gram Engineering.
Looks like we'll end up with about 478 ci.

Originally 409's came with a 3 1/2" throw.....Cali is putting a rotating assembly
together for us with a 4" throw (bascially a big block) w/Diamond pistons.

Other components include Edlebrock aluminum heads and dual quad intake.
A Comp solid roller cam is planned.
Richmond 5 Speed and hopefully set of headers from Earle Williams.

I'll post more as we move forward.

My '55 Chevy from 1968


My current '55 post


Vintage Sun tach mock up


Motor being delivered to shop


Motor delivered


Trick aluminum oil pan from Stef

[rightpedal]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

That motor looks brand spankin new! Where did you get it? What is the idea for the paint/body final look?

You will here this a lot but......... nice car.

Steve

[Monk]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

That motor looks brand spankin new! Where did you get it? What is the idea for the paint/body final look?

You will here this a lot but......... nice car.

Steve

Well, there is a story behind the motor.

It was sitting in the corner at my buddy's engine shop........same guy who built
my 427.
I inquired about it one day on a visit.

Turns out he did a 348 build for someone who needed some heads, so the buy purchased this 409
for the heads. Left the engine. ???

The engine came out of a truck being used at a salvage yard.
It had the large external 2 quart oil bath and governed carb.
Since it already was a low compression motor........it was in great shape.
You could tell it was serviced on a regular basis.
The oil pan was mint.

Anyway he sold it to me for $500........ ;D

Rest is history.

Right now plans are to leave car in current paint.....hot rod primer grey.......it does have
sort of a finish to it.
The interior is being done like the Blair Speed Shop car...notched seat and all.
Here's some pics to give you and idea the direction I'm headed.

[furyjim]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

great car! with all the newly available W-motor components, they'll hopefully start getting the deserved attention for performance- aside from being one of the top 10 "best-looking" engines.

[Monk]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

great car! with all the newly available W-motor components, they'll hopefully start getting the deserved attention for performance- aside from being one of the top 10 "best-looking" engines.

One of the most need parts for a 409/ tri 5 install are headers.

I spoke with Earle Williams a few weeks back and looks like he's going to
have a set available soon. This is huge.
Lots of 409 headers available but none for the tri 5 crowd.

I had two W motors back in the 60's.........the '55 Chevy was a tri powered 348.

This '59 Chevy ragtop started out with a 283.......my buddies and I transplanted
a 348, out of a wrecked '58 Impala, over the weekend.
Chrome reverse compliments of Sears.

I've always wanted another W motor.

[tiresmoke!]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

Brother Monk....

Seeing the pics of the new "project" gives me thoughts of violent 1-2 shifts, tires sreaming in agony, and an otherworldly howl from under the hood.

Sound about right to you?

Smoke

[squirrel]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

neat! you're gonna wait until you have the headers before you do the mounts, right?

Might see about angling the shifter lever forward a bit at the top, I drove a 57 with a notched seat and 5 speed and it was really uncomfortable because the knob was too far back.

[jays67]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

mmmmm 409

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

What a great build...

[NASBackyard]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

Great project and one of my favorite combo's. You will be living a few guy's dream's with this build. But I want to kick myself everytime I see a 55 post. Just a few short 6 or 7 years ago I scored a rolling body with a good roof and floorboard, fiberglass frontend and doors with a wagon parts car, 400.00 Sold it for the same when I built my shop, almost had to beg the guy to take it. I know someday there will be another. Good Luck and keep us posted.

[mike343sharpstick]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

Cool Project.
this is the ONLY way I would ever build a 55. ;)
I wasn't around at the time, but for those that were please educate us youngsters.

In the early 60's, a shoe-box with a built 409 would have been damn near the meanest street racer that could be built correct?
Also curious what, in that same early 60's time period, would have been it's competition; Mopar with a 413 or an early Hemi?

[Monk]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project


Heads arrived today
Edelbrocks New 409 Aluminum Heads





Tore down the rear seats to send out to upholstery shop
Still had some good bones left to 'em

[Monk]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

Cool Project.
this is the ONLY way I would ever build a 55. ;)
I wasn't around at the time, but for those that were please educate us youngsters.

In the early 60's, a shoe-box with a built 409 would have been damn near the meanest street racer that could be built correct?
Also curious what, in that same early 60's time period, would have been it's competition; Mopar with a 413 or an early Hemi?

Actually lot of the guys in my neck of the woods ran 348's.
One guy I know of.....old Louis Oswald........had a beater '55 post with a 409, ran
like a scalded cat.

Most of us considered ourselves lucky if we had a 283 or a 327.

[rightpedal]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

mmmmm 409

mmmmm scalded cat.

Steve

[SpiderGearsMan]

Re: My 409/'55 Chevy Project

what is the trans plan ? a muncie may not be up to the torque