Last Father Son Project 409 Build

[Arko65]

Hello everyone I am in need of some 409 assistance. My father has a degenerative disease that is slowly claiming his life and I want to do one last father son project and that is to hand build at home my 1965 truck block 409 with him.

Longevity is key for this build as it is going into his 1965 Impala he purchased in 1983 and I grew up in when I was born in 1990. I am keeping the impala forever and I would like to never have to tear the motor down again. I have never built a motor before (though ive been around and worked on classics my whole life) ill have the machine shop get the block situated but what I need help with are parts.

This impala is a weekend cruiser to tour around town, go on cruises, and long trips. With that being said I would like to build the motor to reach 6,000 rpm at the drop of a hat. The sound of an engine at 6k rpm is more important to me than having 500 horsepower.
I will be going with the Edelbrock 60815 heads with the factory winters dual quad intake and possibly a comp cams 48-801-11 camshaft? I would like to use 11.25:1 pistons, it being a truck block would put the actual compression ratio just above 10:1 which is what I am looking for. I will be backing it with an appropriately built 200R4 transmission with a 2000rpm stall (3.55 posi gear set).

Would anyone be willing to help me or know someone who could help me get a complete parts list together? Thank you

 

[Toms63SSQB]

Don Jack's where are you?

 

[409newby]

You'll need the 65 oil pan and exhaust manifolds as headers are not available new shroud and radiator spacer but a 409 will make a new car out of that 65

 

[Arko65]

Located in Kent, WA
Yes, ill grab a 6qt custom oil pan from show-cars for the 65. The exhaust manifolds on the other hand are going to be more difficult

 

[Tooth]

What kind of budget are you looking at?

 

[La Hot Rods]

Great story and history with this car.
I think some pistons in the 10.5 range with a 0 deck height may be better for a pump gas street engine.

 

[Arko65]

These are not cheap engines to build I know. I mean its going to cost what it costs but if I can get it built for under 8k I can do it this year. If not I'll need to accumulate the parts this year and do all the machine work next year.

 

[Arko65]

Yes between 10:1 and 10.25:1 is what I'm looking for. So from what I understand i will need to purchase 11.25:1 pistons for this truck block

 

[63impalass409]

Oh your not too far away from me as I'm in Tacoma, it's nice to have another 65 lover in the area and I have a 400hp 65 409 in my 65 convertible and about to put another one in place of an anemic 283 in one of my 65 hard tops when I'm on vacation week after next. I just had the newest 409 running for the first time last weekend on the test stand.

 

[1964SuperStocker]

8K will build it pretty easy (parts will cost you more than machine work but the knowledge of what you need specifically will be the most important thing. The sound you wish for leads me to believe you should hunt around for the right exhaust set up. I wouldn't bother with anything but long tube headers but the mufflers themselves will be important. Take a listen to this video and see what you think. This is my wagon with a 348 dual quad, hooker super competition headers with 2.5 exhaust and Flowmaster 44's that kick out front of the rear wheels.

If you by chance have a friend or know of a car that sounds specifically the way you like then I would approach that person and find out what specifically is being used for mufflers. There are a few videos online that compare different mufflers. Take a listen but the best way is to find a car you like the sound of and get those mufflers.

 

[benchseat4speed]

Man, black on black 65 SS, vinyl top, factory stereo, OG spinner caps, that thing is awesome!!!

 

[R63ss]

Welcome,the guys here will lead you down the right path to getting what you want.You have a very nice car to start with,but it’s the history and story that makes it priceless.Hang onto it for as long as you can!

 

[Don Jacks]

Your cam choice is about one step too small with a 218-224 duration at .050.I'm consertive when it comes to cams but with what you've stated your goals are and the choice of gearing look for a hyd.roller in the 221-226 in.-228-232 at .o50 range.I'd rather see the Edelbrock single 4bbl. intake[30 hp.,20 ft.lbs. stronger over all] over that old early 60's designed factory piece.A cam in this range will work well with the stock 65 exhaust manifolds as evedenced by Tim's little 9.1-1 double notch 380.Headers would be better but would have to be custom made.A good budget friendly piston choice would be the KB I con,Show Cars pn 7819p28 combined with Scat rod pn 7207[6.385 length] if you're staying with the stock stroke 409 crank.This will get you started.Another choice in heads[I think a better one] would be a set of mildly ported Bob Walla heads.With Bobs heads and by instructing the machine shop to NOT put the counter bore back in during the boring operation will get you in the 10.5 -10.7 range.Bob's heads are often cheaper keeping the price down as well.A cam that I would recommend here is a Howards from Competition Products pn HRC 131125-10.They have better lifters than Comp and they are less expensive as well.

 

[Arko65]

Don, Thank you very much for the recommendations. This is what I was hoping to find out here.

 

[Arko65]

Thank you for the info everyone. I have a partial list made up:
Ross 11:1 compression pistons (truck block takes that to just over 10:1) https://show-cars.com/product/2375
https://show-cars.com/product/2266 Crankshaft
https://www.molnartechnologies.com/24367-2/ CH6135VTB8-A Connecting Rods (these are 717 grams vs 780 grams others are)
I will be talking to Bob Walla Racing about some aluminum heads
https://www.howardscams.com/hydraul...chevy-348409-1800-6000-howards-cams-131125-10 Camshaft
https://www.competitionproducts.com...er-Lifters/productinfo/HRC91360/#.YCscPmhKibh Lifters

 

[Tooth]

A pair like these would be perfect! It’s set up for about a 560 lift hydraulic roller .330 -.340 @ .050. I got the roller lifters from Bob there so Howard‘s for a W motor. This is for my stroker motor I’m building for my shop truck. If I can ever get my machinist to finish making the special parts for CNC boring it better and decking it. Really close really close!
Good luck!!! You got Bob’s number? I always say” BURN A TIRE”!!!

 

[Arko65]

I do not have Bob's number.
I was going to get a complete parts list so I could go over the build to make sure everything is in order before getting the heads started

 

[Tooth]

Bob Walla, 219.798.6358 he’s in Crownpoint Indiana, and I think he works from noon till midnight. You can always text him and he’ll call you when he gets a break.
I told him The cam specs and actually gave him the part number and he had the Heads set up for the right spring pressures the installed height, and seat pressure... I also have another set that have 2.300 intake and 1.94 exhaust valves with a set of springs for 750 solid lift roller cam. If I ever get the block finished for my stroker truck motor very high compression big cubic inch 409 will be next. This was a factory winter’s dual plane dual quad intake, it’s been cut apart re-welded buildup and a plate add it on top. Truly one of a kind! It’s going on my big cubic inch 409. Someday I plan on making a sheet-metal intake for myself. I’m going to try to get my son in on this build he’s 30 now.

 

[Arko65]

Thank you very much

 

[SSpev]

Thank you for the info everyone. I have a partial list made up:
Ross 11:1 compression pistons (truck block takes that to just over 10:1) https://show-cars.com/product/2375
https://show-cars.com/product/2266 Crankshaft
https://www.molnartechnologies.com/24367-2/ CH6135VTB8-A Connecting Rods (these are 717 grams vs 780 grams others are)
I will be talking to Bob Walla Racing about some aluminum heads
https://www.howardscams.com/hydraul...chevy-348409-1800-6000-howards-cams-131125-10 Camshaft
https://www.competitionproducts.com...er-Lifters/productinfo/HRC91360/#.YCscPmhKibh Lifters

THAT'S AWSOM!!! That is a pretty good selection. Only thing I would do different with the added stroke is longer yet rods, 6.385 and matching piston. This can make the piston even lighter. Same money just better. That cam, heads and stoke will be A TIRE BURNER! It will probably peak around 5500 with 500 hp.