Three 2's on a 409?

[BigAlBre]

Hey folks I have a question.... back in 1964 in Santa Anna, Calif I owned a 59 black chevy biscayne with a 409 in it that had a 3x2 intake. I know it was a 409 because I couldn't get the valves set right (thinking it was a 348) so I took it to Engine Masters in Orange, Ca. The guy popped the hood and say's "you have a 409"..... he set the valves and I never had another problem. I got seperated from the car years ago (if anyone knows of it I would love to find it) and I've been thinking of recreating it. Problem is I'm not sure how 3x2's ended up on the engine..... 348 heads maybe... I figure with all the expertise here someone would have an answer... I can be emailed at vabreland@yahoo.com or 866-787-6337 toll free cell.... thanks in advance for any help you can give me... Al Breland btw I bought the engine out of a junkyard.... it was in a 60 Impala (another reason I thought it was a 348) Cheers! :cheers:cheers

[CDNpontiac409guy]

Welcome, BigAl...

Here's a copy of the post I made in response to your question on the street rodder site:

ABSOLUTELY

that 58-61 348 triple 2bbl intake will bolt on to ANY 409 that does not have the large port "690" or "583" heads ( forget the Z11 stuff... you'll never see them ).

In very round figures:

All 1962 409 have large ports. 1963-1965, about half of the approx 28, 000 pass car 409's, had large ports.

The rest of the car engines, and all of the truck engines, have heads that accept any 348 intake.

[Ronnie Russell]

Welcome Big Al, Not an unusual scenerio. Blow up a 348,, go to the wrecking yard and buy a 409 shortblock ( who knows, maybe a new shortblock from GM.?? ) Put the 348 top end on and fly away. 348s came with either hydraulic lifters or solids, and some of the lash settings were quite different, so the problem you had would be no surprise , especially if your 409 was the solid lifter engine. Hope you have luck finding your old car. That would certainly be a happy ending.