Timing gear set for a 409/454 stroker

[desapience]

I'm in the planning and design stages of building my next 409 stroker. In my photo gallery you can view the 409/427 cranked stroker I have in my '55' Belair.

The goal of my next effort is to have a blown 409 stroker with a Eagle 454 crank (or whatever brand, per the advice garnered in this forum). I have already discussed some details of this project with Vince Chiappardi of CRW, but, I would like to receive input and advice, or garner ideas from others in this forum, as well.

Whatever this upcoming engine evolves to, I am planning to install it into either a '55' Nomad or a '40' Ford Coupe, built to be a dependable show-car and streetable rod... and NOT a trailer-queen!

The 454 crank is planned to be machined keeping the BBC 'nose' diameter, and a billet timing cover used to accomodate the need for a BBC front seal. Per Vince's advice this maintains the BBC-sized snout allowing for greater strength for the crank-pulley's dual-keyed mounting. I am using a truck block, casting number 3857656, for the block's notch's better exhaust flow characterics, and clearances.

One question here has to do with the timing set... should I go with chain or grears? If going with a chain, is the need for a BBC sized crank gear going to be a problem if mixed with a 409 type cam-gear? The block will be line-honed.

Vince talked about using a particular Howard cam.. and I do plan on using the CRW aluminum heads, valve covers, and their new intake to be used as a blower plate. I would like some discussion and input on cams. lifters, pushrods, rockers (roller motor??)..., etc., etc....

I've built several strong BBC ands SBC engines, but, this is my first blower motor. So, I'm open to all suggestions, ideas, any discussion of pros and cons, pitfalls, etc., from all you knowledgable 09'ers.

The block is now standard bore, and will have splayed 4-bolt mains, including the two end caps. Please disuss your suggestions/ideas to any level of detail you'd like, from ignition, carbs, blower, blower-drive, to pan, pistons, deck heights, rings, bearings, ..., I'm open to anything and everything.

To me this is far more than a hobby, it's therapy and a challenge, as well as a learning experience that will hopefully lead to a lot of pure UNIQUE fun!

I thank you all in advance for all the input I recieve here. :cheers
Dr. D. (Denis)

[gearhead409]

Denis, the crank snout on my blower motor is cut to the small block- W motor size with an oversize keyway cut from the timing chain sprocket all the way to the front. i cut the center hub out of a hipo 409 balancer and made a new hub out of 4140 and pressed it into the bored out 409 balancer. the blower drive belt is 2"wide. the blower is a tight 6-71 running 10% over. i haven't ever broke it. the 481 i'am working on now is using a bone stock 454 crank in it and i'am trying to get a timing gear set that will work. there was a thread on here about two weeks ago about this subject. it would be good for you to go back and read the posts.

[desapience]

Denis, the crank snout on my blower motor is cut to the small block- W motor size with an oversize keyway cut from the timing chain sprocket all the way to the front. i cut the center hub out of a hipo 409 balancer and made a new hub out of 4140 and pressed it into the bored out 409 balancer. the blower drive belt is 2"wide. the blower is a tight 6-71 running 10% over. i haven't ever broke it. the 481 i'am working on now is using a bone stock 454 crank in it and i'am trying to get a timing gear set that will work. there was a thread on here about two weeks ago about this subject. it would be good for you to go back and read the posts.

Vince Chiappardi's group are fabricating the billet timing covers to accommodate the BBC snout and seal (with its length shortened to '09' specs). This, all based upon the use of BBC balancer and belt drive (at the crank). HE also recommended a crank that could be internally balanced.

We have a choice between which crank timing gear (409 or BBC), depending upon what diameter we leave the crank's snout at... I'm just trying to see what's available or needed to be fabricated, or part's mix one can use when wanting to keep the BBC snout's stock diameter, and yet have a timing chain and cam gear that will work properly in cionjuction with that BBC crank gear. I will research the old thread. Thanks for the heads up.

Dr D (Denis)

[models916]

Lamar probably still sells the BBC snout in the 409 block timing set and cover.