I was looking for a 429-460 for my 77 f250 4x4,when I ran accross a 66 Caddy with a 409. I know nothing about this vintage engine. Is it worth picking up for some future project. I have always had fords, from 69 galaxie through to today, I don't dislike Chev just haven't had any real experience with them. I understand that the 409 was quite a powerhouse in its day, any opinions?

 

Only you can make that desion. Depends on condiotion,price etc. If it works then do it.

 

.......Ford vs The Competition....hum?

 

That engine as well as the 348 share same block. They were real dogs and were only made for a few years before being replaced by the 396-427-454 "Rat" motor which is still in use today.

 

Thanks WOLFD
I could have had the whole car for scrap prices but needed to know if the motor was anything special. The only thing I know about this motor is from the Beach Boys, She's
real fine my 409....... Guess I'll let it go to scrap

 

The Rat motor has been gone from production since 99....

The 409 could probably bring some $$$ on Ebay, somebody is always doing a resto-mod...

 

actually mattsbox, the 8.1L motor currently sold is based on the "rat"

and no, the 348-409 engines didn't suck. They just got redesigned. That's like saying that a 351W sucks because it was replaced by the 5.4. Not true at all. I'd rather have a 351.

The only thing is, everyone else in here is talking about Chevy 409's, which wouldn't have been in a caddy unless someone swapped it in. For more info about the chevy engine, go to www.348-409.com

Caddy never made a 409 as far as I know, so if that is a 409 it must be a chevy, and is most likely rated with at least 340 horses. I would give my left you-know-what to have that car, and lots of people would probably give thousands of dollars more than that!

 

If its a 409 you will have trouble getting parts for it as they are fairly rare. Better to stick with the Ford 385 block. More of them around.

 

The Rat motor can still be had at your local Chebbie dealer in the form of an 8.1 Litre Vortex.

 

You mean based on that rat motor in that its got 8 big holes punched in it? thats about where the similarities end.

They are very different blocks and heads... the 8.1 is pretty good motor, and you would be hard pressed to find a 454 that held up very long.

I keep hearing the Rat motor and SBC terms thrown around, Chevy killed both in 99 and went to a completley new design. You can still get new motors from aftermarket suppliers and GM performance divisions...

 

409's are pretty valuable. Not much use for anyone besides a car show person, but they can bring big bucks. I'd get it, if I could get it cheap and then try to sell parts or teh whole thing on ebay.

 

Okay, two things - first, the big block. The 8100 Vortec is an evolotion of the old school "BBC". Few things may be interchangable, but it is still the same basic engine, in my opinion. They didn't throw away the old design, they tweaked it.... quite a bit. There, you've stated your opinion and I've stated mine.....

As for the late model small blocks, yes, they were clean sheet designs. They share a 4.4" bore spacing with the old SBC, but that's just because it worked. As long as the context makes it known that it's in a late model vehicle, I don't have a problem calling it a small block chevy, as anyone who knows enough to even care knows that it's not the old SBC.

Relatively speaking, todays SBC's are the LS engine family - 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 or 6.0 liters, and the BBC is the 8.1L, just like once upon a time, the 360/390/428 were known as Ford's big blocks, but then the 429 and 460 replaced them. None of it is important, it's all how you look at it.

Edit: One more thing, this is a Ford site, and I love Fords. I own a 300 powered 77 F100 and regularly drive/work on a 75 highboy, 75 bronco and 77 one ton. But... I also love Chevys, and to say that you'll never find a 454 that has held up rubs me the wrong way; I've seen lots of high mileage working BBC's, but I'll leave it at that.

 

There is no such thing as a '66 Cadillac 409. In 1966, Cadillac used a 429 CID motor. Also, there is no such thing as a 1966 Chevrolet 409. The 409 was discontinued at the begining of 1965, it was replaced by the 396 in the full size 1965 Chevrolet car line, the 396 was used in the 1965 Corvette as well. The 409 was never used in a Corvette. The 427 Chevrolet was introduced in 1966, in both Corvettes and the full size cars.

 

I agree, but I figure someone could have swapped an older 409 in there... I've seen stranger things

 

I genuinely appreciate all the replies gentlemen. This was a situation where I was
given the opporunity to grab what the fellow thought was a 409 out of his old caddy before it hit the scrap yard, body shot but motor runs. After talking to him again it appears he really isn't sure what motor he has in it. Once again the assistance of the membership has been invaluable. Although I streached the guidlines for this forum I shall happly continue may search for a 429 or 460. Thanks again
Greg C