So what are the differences? 425/409ER mentioned the return fuel line as one way to tell it was a 409. I was told screw holes on the steering column as one, but I didn't put much faith in that comment as I would think a 327, 4-speed could be ordered with a tach. This car has original patina, and is a second owner car. The front fenders look original and have 409 emblems below the flags.
No return line to the gas tank from the engine on 1962 factory 409 cars (
return lines started on 1963 factory 409 cars
All 1962 409 cars where factory 4 speed cars with a
black metal tunnel cover over the large rectangular factory cut hole in tunnel) -
factory 1962 4 speed 327 cars also came with this tunnel cover
409 car has to have factory 4 speed column -not a converted or non modified PG or 3 speed column
As you noted factory tach drilled holes (1961 & 1962) in the "factory 4 speed steering column" to mount the tach head
and the drivers inner fender (for sending unit ) -on all 409 cars and also on 1962 327-300 HP cars with factory tach -(firewall hole for rubber grommet for factory tach wiring harness on factory tach cars in 1962)
Starter wiring harness is different on factory 409 cars (
ballast resistor in harness) -if car has original starter harness still hanging on the car ??
Fenders with 409 emblems under flags -if mounted correctly close to flags ( I see cars with 409 emblems not mounted correctly as the factory did)
All 409 cars had 3/8 inch gas line around the passenger shock tower under the upper A frame (also factory 1962 327 -250 HP and 300 HP cars came with the 3/8 fuel line under the upper A frame) - (factory 283 & 6 cylinder cars had different gas line routing & size... along the frame.)
If you put a 409 motor in a original 409 car your best option is a 1962 - 8068 409 block and 690 big port heads (no 340 HP motors with small 409 heads in 1962 and no factory powerglide on 409 cars in 1962.
Does the car have the original radiator ? 1962 factory 409 cars had a separate designed Harrison radiator with special stamps in the top tank
Paul