Greg Reimer
Well Known Member
Alright, we all love 348's and 409's, finding them can be an issue. If you are willing to settle for a more conventional motor, get a standard bore 400 small block bare block. Buy a 327 large journal crank, and some space saver main bearings to take the 400 main bearing size down to the 327 size. Get a good set of H beam rods and the best bolts you can find.Get a nice light set of 327 + .125 over pistons, balance and assemble this thing, get the best cam,lifters, valve train parts, and the trickest cylinder heads and intake out there. This engine properly displaces 348 cu.inches. About 40 years ago, a resident mad scientist had a '69 Camaro with a Dana rear end, a Doug Nash 5 speed and one of these engines with some kind of tunnel ram, and the result was a wheel standing 9.60 140 MPH car that he ran at the defunct Orange County International Raceway. Outrageous giggle car.
Now, for the 409. Get a 400 small block, bore it to a final siize of 4.170. The original 400 was 4.125, so that's not as outrageous as it sounds. A Dart block would be a good place to start-they are very thick.Get a steel 3.750 stroke crank, use a 5.850 length rod, then get a set of nice light trick flat top pistons made for the final bore size and pin height. If you can fit a 6 inch rod in it, that would be even better.The .045" overbore makes the 400 a 409.71 cu.in. power plant
I know those are conventional appearing small blocks, but it's whats on the inside that makes it what it is.
Now, for the 409. Get a 400 small block, bore it to a final siize of 4.170. The original 400 was 4.125, so that's not as outrageous as it sounds. A Dart block would be a good place to start-they are very thick.Get a steel 3.750 stroke crank, use a 5.850 length rod, then get a set of nice light trick flat top pistons made for the final bore size and pin height. If you can fit a 6 inch rod in it, that would be even better.The .045" overbore makes the 400 a 409.71 cu.in. power plant
I know those are conventional appearing small blocks, but it's whats on the inside that makes it what it is.