Out in the weeds

[Tom Kochtanek]

I spent the day chasing leads on some older Chevy grain trucks out in the Missouri boonies today. Kinda fun, saw a number of 1964-65 grain trucks for sale, but didn't make an offer on any of them. Still looking :)

While out in the briars and the brambles (I have jeans full of stickers to prove it!) I kept my eyes peeled for unusual sites, such as "W" and "X" parts. Found a few, and ended up buying one (a 348 truck engine, of all things). We looked and looked and looked for a truck 409 in the weeds, with a fellow's 21 year old son ("I know it's around here somewhere, seen it just a few months ago"). We trapsed through more than our fair share of poison ivy, brambles and stickers than I care to imagine, and no 409 truck engine. We agreed to come back in November when the leaves are down (how can you miss a 409 engine on the ground with no leaves on the trees?). What we did find was what he thought was a 409 engine, but it turned out to be a 1962-5 replacement truck 348, so I made him an offer on that so we didn't go home empty-handed. At least it had an oil pan and some valve covers, lots of pulleys (had air compressor for the brakes -- maybe I can use those pulleys for PS or A/C?). Cast code was "655" and heads were "333". I guess that's one of those double eyebrow worthless 348s, but I did save it from the crusher (these guys recycle scrap metal) :).

While there, we "took a tour" of some other memorable stuff, including a Ford flathead V8 (see pics) in a blacktop tanker (rather unique), and the best -- a 1964 Chevy convertible up on top of a railroad car (it's for sale -- $750). Of course we climbed up top the rail car and examined the convertible (see pics) :)

Fun day all in all, assuming I don't break out in poison ivy (walked a few acres of it looking for that 409 truck engine). I did save the 348 truck engine (note the weeds still hanging on after we lifted it from the ground :)

Enjoy the pics. Save the "W" :)

Cheers,
TomK

P.S. I am thinking of offering him something for that Flathead Ford engine, vintage early 1940s. Am I crazy?

[BiscayneWilly]

WOW, now that looks and sounds like a fun day of searching. Had beautiful weather that is for sure. I always keep my eyes peeled while out and about in the back roads for things I "need" to bring home. I am jealous..........I spent the day doing house chores. Caulking windows, painting window trim, etc :rolleyes:

[jester]

Am I seeing that pic of the 348 correctly? Is the bearing yoke on the right side of that motor? :?

[Tom Kochtanek]

Hmmm... I hadn't noticed that. Any explanations?

This is a truck application. It was really lying in the weeds, so I am not sure of the exact vehicle it was in...

TomK

[bobs409]

Now that sounds like a very fun day! I wish I could find some W's around here. :( Nothing beats a day of junkyarding! Especially when you find some good stuff.

You must have a heck of a collection going Tom. You should make a list for us that we can all drool over. :D

[jester]

Also, the emissions tube runs up to what looks like the carb base, That would mean its a later model wouldn't it? Just a guess.

[64ss409]

That emissions tube probably hooks to the base of air cleaner, clean air side. Did they start that in 63? My 64 is plumbed that way.

Ron

[Tom Kochtanek]

Jester, good guess. The tube does run differently than the earlier ones (with the draft tube running down the backside of the block). I can't view the numbers as yet, since the air compressor is in the way, but I bet it's 1964-5. Reason for the guess is he had several 1964-5 grain trucks I was looking at. One had a newer bed and hoist, another a better cab. I was thinking "merger" :) Also looked at a late 50s GMC with some truck V8 in it (366?). I think these truck engines were from these era trucks. If (more like "when") we go back after the leaves drop and find that 409 truck engine I bet it turns out to be from one of these 1965s as well.

This is the same guy who I bought a 1962 QB block off of about 2 years ago. Unfortunately I beat the pistons out after soaking it in 50 gallons of diesel fuel some 6 months, and several bores split. Shoulda drilled them pistons... Live and learn.

How 'bout that flathead Ford engine in a blacktop tanker? Pretty special, eh?

My fav pic was seeing that '64 convertible atop the rail car. Kinda catches your attention. I asked "Why?" and he said "To keep kids from stealing parts". It had lots of stuff inside, but had already given up it front clip. Anybody want this one?

Cheers,
TomK

[raymar58454]

You guys get my adrenaline flowing. Now you're making me go junkyarding, something I used to do for pleasure years ago. If I find anything I'll let you know.
Ray

[bobs409]

I've been hitting the yards pretty hard myself lately but there are no W's around here. (well, none that I can find anyway)

This junkyarding gets addictive! It's like a treasure hunt and you never know what you'll find. Somedays, you come home empty handed and others, your glad you took the truck!!! :D

I sure am gonna miss these trips when all the old stuff dries up completely. They are far and few in between now around here but one day, they'll all be gone. :( No shortage of Cavaliers and S-10's though. :mad:

[raymar58454]

I noticed a guy on ebay selling the heck out of vega rear bumber guards. Maybe we should start saving vegas as the next new treasure. Nah :rolleyes:
Ray

[bobs409]

Bumper guards sell for big bucks usually but Vega's??? I haven't seen anyone driving a vega in about 15 years. :D (and glad of that too!)

I just found a collection of Corvairs, for some reason, I find Corvairs everywhere but in my soup. :D

I know where there are still some Pinto's and Mavericks. I thought they shot the last Pinto years ago before finding these. ;)

[raymar58454]

Ok Tom you made me do it. :rolleyes: I took a 3 hr nap and headed out to the junk yard. NOOOOOOWWWWWWWW I gotta pick up my 409 (did I mention running 409, musta slipped my mind) complete although a truck engine( T0228QD the only number I could get see). I'll bet its been 20 years since I been there. It's a really old yard, it was an old yard 40 yrs ago. Also got me an extra rear end for my 58 to build up so I can keep driving it while I get the engine and rear end built. Also some stock 14 wheels.

Anyway thanks for getting me off my duff. :hug

And now some news for you guys needing older stuff. Not only do they have this yard but they purchased a yard that probably started in the early 1900's but can only get in there by appointment. the last time II was in that yard was 40 years ago and there were 20 year old trees growing through the engine compartments.
I took a quick look through and the 58 4dr bisquit has a decent front clip with good headlight buckets fenders(minor rust trough at the very botom of the fenders) solid fender wells, solid around headlamps(no caps), a straight decent chrome 60 3 piece rear bumper on a 4dr straight 6, a 62 straight 6. They also have a bunch of driveshafts,ford 9 rears,old radios, distributors, alternators. All this stuff is offf and piled on shelfs very little is tagged, and I mean very little. It would take a lot of time to spot what you need. I gotta go outa town for a day or so so you guys get abreak from me for awhile anyway. :rofl

Ray

[threeimpalas]

And now some news for you guys needing older stuff. Not only do they have this yard but they purchased a yard that probably started in the early 1900's but can only get in there by appointment.

And you aren't going to tell us Midwest folks where this yard is or how to get into contact with them? It's not nice to tease us like that... :cry

[Loafer409]

Am I seeing that pic of the 348 correctly? Is the bearing yoke on the right side of that motor? :?
===

Hydraulic clutch

[raymar58454]

I will definitely let you all know exactly where it is, and please do not take offense, but they were not able to get to it today and the owner won't be back till next week, he said he'd hold it for me but I've gotten smoked on these deals before. You all will know exactly where it is in time for next weekend. Here's what happened to me before, I bought a motorcycle from 20 year dealer on a friday about noon, the bank closed the doors at 4, even though I had a bill of sale, receits for everything including license, it took me 6 months and a lawyer to get the title from the bank, I paid for the brick on my house to help the guy out and he loused the job and wouldn"t fix it cuz he had his money. So now when I hand himthe money the engine will be on mytruck. Its happened too many times cuz I'm to trusting. I know 348-409 guys are a good bunch, I just don't trust handing out cash and not having anything to show for it. Same deal happened on my computer, last one the guy built before closing and I even offered to pay him extra to make it work when I got it home and it didn't have half the software installed. Hope you guys understand.

[348NUT]

That 655 block is the good one! It should only have one notch and can possibly be bored to 409! :brow Be careful taking it apart. that is the same clutch set up that is on the 60 truck I took my 348 out of. Also, 366s came along on 66. I have one in a 91 TopKick with over 413,000 miles on it untouched and going strong :clap It's amazing what a governor will do! NUT