Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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#443531 06/05/20 09:22 AM
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Hey guys,
I was grooving on listening to the Beach Boys sing "409" the other day, and I got to thinking--did Chevrolet offer a 409 in any of their pickups during the time the motor was available? If so, which model of trucks had it?

Also, does anyone know when the first big block V8s were offered in pick ups??
Git yer thinking caps on!!

Thanks


Rick

"Never time to do it right the first time, but always time to do it over."
Wilwood Engineering1955-1957

Willwood Engineering

Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
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That is an interesting question. The 409 was originally a truck engine as was the 348. They were in larger trucks and dump trucks before being modified for use in passenger cars. Am thinking that the Longhorn or extended box pickup might have had the larger engine due to load capacity. Could the larger engine be special ordered? or a factory authorized modification? Maybe someone knows for sure?


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First the 348 was not an intended truck engine. Chevrolet needed a larger displacement engine in 1958 to compete with the new Ford 352 and Plymouth 350 passenger car engines.
At that time they never expected the original small block could be enlarged to 350 and 400 cubic inches.

Using 1964 as an example the largest 8 cylinder rengine available in a series10 through series 40 series truck was a 283. The 60 series offered a 348 option and the large 80 series a 348 and a 409.



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1967 was the first year to have the 327 engine available in a 1/2 - 1 ton truck.
1968 396 available for 1/2 - 1 ton truck.


Gene Schneider
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A little history on Chevrolet truck engines.
Form 1932-1940 the 194-207 216 engines was used and horse power reduced by the use of an intake restrictor built into the insulator under the carburetor. This did not affect torque but just horse power at higher engine speeds. Was done to discourage over reving in the gears
1941,and up 216 had the same HP as passenger cars and in 1941 the larger 235 became an option for larger trucks. The 1941-1949 235 looked like a 216 and used most 216 parts such as smaller 216 valves, head, manifold and carburetor!
1950 the 235 had increased HP and used much larger iintake valves, head and manifold passages. Also the low side cover. That version was used in 6000 series trucks and passenger cars with Power Glide. Truck has solid lifters and cars hydraulics. There again some refered the 235 car engine as being a truck engine.
In 1954 the new updated 235 was used in all trucks withe the 261 for 2 ton trucks. The larger 261 had a larger carburetor but head and manifolds same as 235.
In 1955 the 265 V-8 became an option for truckks ( standard for large trucks).In1956 chevrolet needed a larger displacement engne for the new larger trucks and used a detuned version of the Buick 322 engine...same for 1957. 1958 large trucks got the 348 egine wwith the 322 still used in school buses. 1958 had 348, by 1963 had the 409. 1966 had the 396 optional and/or standard and a smaller version of the 396, a 366 cubic engine for some applications.
The above is not 100% complete but rather a general idea of truck engines Probably should have mentioned the 261 was replaced by a 292 7 main bearing engine in 1963 and available in 11/2- tru 2 ton trucks. Also Canadian Pontiacs usd the 261 truck engine in passenger cars.


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Gene--Thank you for the extensive primer on truck engines. Very interesting.
So in a nutshell, the 409 did find its way into large trucks by 1963. I assume by large trucks you mean 1 ton and larger? E.g. maybe the cab over trucks also?

Fascinating. Thank you again, my friend. Stay safe and well.


Rick

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No, by a large truck I mean 3ton or over. Chevrolet was building somevery large trucks back then.
I should add 1/2, 3/4, 1 and 1 1/2 ton 1955-1957 trucks had a 265 as the the optional V-8 and not a 283. The 283 was used in 6000 series 2 ton trucks at that time. The 265 was painted gray and not orange.. The 283 used in those trucks was also gray. The 235 engines used in trucks was also gray and not blue.

Last edited by Chev Nut; 06/05/20 08:02 PM.

Gene Schneider
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Quite illuminating Gene. Surprising the 265 and 283 small blocks had enough ooomph to power those trucks. Maybe they had the power packs for more hp in truck versions?

It's certainly understandable the 3 ton+ big boys needed big blocks. So school buses stuck with the 322 and never got 348s? Would have been cool to see one of those sporting the scalloped valve covers.


Rick

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The truck engines actually were de-tuned versions of the car engines and had less horse power. They had a lower compression ratio and designed to produce power atlower engine speeds. Thet truck versions generally has 20% less horse power tan the passenger car engine.


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Gene,
It seems to me that the 409 was offered In Canada for some light duty trucks. Do you know if this is true?

Mike


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Originally Posted by Chipper
That is an interesting question. The 409 was originally a truck engine as was the 348. They were in larger trucks and dump trucks before being modified for use in passenger cars. Am thinking that the Longhorn or extended box pickup might have had the larger engine due to load capacity. Could the larger engine be special ordered? or a factory authorized modification? Maybe someone knows for sure?

I find it hard to believe that some people still believe the folklore that the W engine was designed for trucks first. Try to find this issue and read the article I wrote in it which tells the complete story of that engine's development.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SEPTEMBER-1988-MUSCLECARS-MAGAZINE-1963-IMPALA-SS-409-425-1967-SHELBY-428-GT500/122736796202?hash=item1c93aee22a:g:G0oAAOSwIylZ0sl~

Verne

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Canadian production was very limited compared to the US. I would doubt if they would have a 409 option for smaller trucks considering all the modifications that would be required in the drive train.


Gene Schneider
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Too bad. Imagine what an original (aka unmolested) 409 powered truck would sell for as a collectible today?

I see a good used 409 mill can be quite pricey. I see even fewer 348s for sale.


Rick

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