midnightdobie
Member
Can anyone help me decode a cawl tag on a 1963 Impala. I am purchasing a car. I am being told that it is an ss 409 dual carb car. I would like to verify if possible. Thank you.
Need Help Identifying 1963 Impala ss 409 dual Carbs
- Thread starter midnightdobie
- Start date
First Post cowl and VIN pictures ( the tags will only tell if it came as a v-8 or 6 cylinder from the factory, “they will verify if it came with a 409 from factory”
To check on 409 originally need details of engine pictures of all sides of the engine , pictures of factory tach pictures of radiator and fan shroud, pictures of cast iron exhaust manifolds.
pictures of gas line around the passenger side of the upper a frame by the fuel pump.
pictures of carbs without air cleaner to check for factory 409 only return line on glass fuel filter.
these two items verify of 409 is original to car…
pictures of the engine pad on passenger side in front of head - to check for matching number 409 engine may have paint covering the stamped numbers
Serial # of engine block located on the drivers side of the engine block next to firewall - need mirror to see 7 digit GM block # with raised numbers
Lots of clone 409 cars out there.
Paul
To check on 409 originally need details of engine pictures of all sides of the engine , pictures of factory tach pictures of radiator and fan shroud, pictures of cast iron exhaust manifolds.
pictures of gas line around the passenger side of the upper a frame by the fuel pump.
pictures of carbs without air cleaner to check for factory 409 only return line on glass fuel filter.
these two items verify of 409 is original to car…
pictures of the engine pad on passenger side in front of head - to check for matching number 409 engine may have paint covering the stamped numbers
Serial # of engine block located on the drivers side of the engine block next to firewall - need mirror to see 7 digit GM block # with raised numbers
Lots of clone 409 cars out there.
Paul
midnightdobie
Member
Did I miss any mention of the firewall resistor? Also I don't see any photo of the suffix code of the block.
midnightdobie
Member
The car is a standard trans. Are you sure that middle letter is a M? Or can it be a different letter? Thanks
63impaloligist
Well Known Member
M generally means Powerglide. Which would not be installed behind the 425hp engine stock.
.........sure looks to be a 'M' when blown up... 
Bob put together some info that may help. Here is the link.
1958-65 full size Chevrolet Radio identification page
This page identify's various radios and equipment that was used for 1958-65 Chevrolet full size cars.
www.348-409.com
Keep in mind that 95% of these are clones but if the price is right for the condition of the car buy it.
Carl 1962
Well Known Member
It's an M, which means it was a powerglide car, but at least it is a Super Sport.
Carl 1962
Well Known Member
Yes. The 1958-64 cowl tag always (except with Canadian cars) has the V8 STYLE code (1211, 1669, 1847 etc) but the VIN always has the L6 or V8 designation. To remove all doubt on whether it was a V8 or L6 the VIN is the best way to tell. But there were many different V8's....
The # of cylinders by vin is true in most cases but didn't the 1959 and 1960 Elcamino's have an issue with them building the main part of the car at one plant or something and finishing the car at another plant so they didn't always know if a 6 cylinder, small block or 348's would end up in them until final assembly. Thanks again for any insight Carl.
