'64 409, a legend too! - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ZR-1 Franz · 05-29-2008

Hello from Switzerland,

Chevy Pickups and Blazers for every days hard work, but Corvettes and other
fast Chevys for pleasure. I think I need some help, may be somebody of you
can help me. Some years ago the engine of our '64 Impala SS 409 was blown.
The engine couldn't be fixed and no other 409 could be found. So a smaller
Chevy V8 was installed. We own the car since 41 years and it is still in good
condition. But now I want to restore it and for this reason I am looking for
a 409, especially for a '64 or '63 L80 (409 4bbl 425 hp engine). These would
be my favorites, any other 409 would be good to, but no truck 409s.
I would be very happy, if somebody of you could give me some good advice.
I know this is no ZR-1 related problem, but in the Sixties this car was a legend
too.
Thank you very much for your interest and have a good time.

gbrtng · 05-29-2008

try Hemmings Motor News for good contacts, else google is your best friend.

tccrab · 05-29-2008

Franz:

My best friend is a collector of 409's.
He has two show cars, a '62 BubbleTop Impala 409 360HP and a 62 Biscane 409 425HP. He also has a shop filled with all things 409 including complete engines, heads, bocks, intakes, cams, etc., etc..
He's fair and honest and I'm sure that you will not be disappointed.

Send me a PM with your contact information, email address, etc., and I'll get the ball rolling.

TomC

Z51JEFF · 05-30-2008

My brothers father in law has 2 409s,might be 425 horse motors.Ill see him today sometime and ask about them.

tccrab · 06-01-2008

Franz:

You should have been contacted by now.
If you have not yet received an email let me know and I'll call him again.

Regards,

TomC

Z Factor · 06-01-2008

Though not a 409, I have a friend who wants to sell a crated 427 short block that he bought for a restore that he never got around to. It is has a crank, pistons, etc., so if you decide to go with something other than a 409 let me know.

gbrtng · 06-01-2008

different engine

ZR-1 Franz · 06-02-2008

Hello from Switzerland,

Thank you for your help. It has to be a 409, because this was the
original engine. The best choice would be a L-80, because this Impala SS
had the L-80 (409/425 hp). But any other good and complete 409
would be ok too. But no truck 409!
Thanks again and have a good time.

tccrab · 06-04-2008

Just a few pics of my friends 409's.
a '62 "Bubble Top" 409 380HP, 4 speed, single 4 barrel carb, manual steering, manual brake, posi rear end, radio delete, all original.

The 380HP 409 Powerplant:

a '62 BelAir 409 425HP, 4 speed, dual 4 barrel carbs, manual steering, manual brake, posi rear end, all original:

Couldn't find a good pic of the 409/425HP, I'll keep looking.

Hard to believe that all this power was available over 46 years ago from your local Chevy dealership.
Even harder to believe that all that power rode on polyglass tires and used manual drum brakes to stop.
Going fast was easy with this kind of power, turning and stopping were things that these cars did not do well.

TomC

05-29-2008	#1
ZR-1 Franz Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Solothurn, Switzerland Posts: 144	'64 409, a legend too! Hello from Switzerland, Chevy Pickups and Blazers for every days hard work, but Corvettes and other fast Chevys for pleasure. I think I need some help, may be somebody of you can help me. Some years ago the engine of our '64 Impala SS 409 was blown. The engine couldn't be fixed and no other 409 could be found. So a smaller Chevy V8 was installed. We own the car since 41 years and it is still in good condition. But now I want to restore it and for this reason I am looking for a 409, especially for a '64 or '63 L80 (409 4bbl 425 hp engine). These would be my favorites, any other 409 would be good to, but no truck 409s. I would be very happy, if somebody of you could give me some good advice. I know this is no ZR-1 related problem, but in the Sixties this car was a legend too. Thank you very much for your interest and have a good time. __________________ ZR-1 Franz, '90 ZR-1 # 982 Red/Saddle (Manual Control Air Conditioning)

05-29-2008	#2
gbrtng Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Antonio area Posts: 1,179	Re: '64 409, a legend too! try Hemmings Motor News for good contacts, else google is your best friend. __________________ “Buy the best example of what you want, and pay whatever it takes. That way, you cry only once.” ~ Bruce Meyer

05-29-2008	#3
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,655	Re: '64 409, a legend too! Franz: My best friend is a collector of 409's. He has two show cars, a '62 BubbleTop Impala 409 360HP and a 62 Biscane 409 425HP. He also has a shop filled with all things 409 including complete engines, heads, bocks, intakes, cams, etc., etc.. He's fair and honest and I'm sure that you will not be disappointed. Send me a PM with your contact information, email address, etc., and I'll get the ball rolling. TomC __________________ TomC '90ZR1 #792 Honorary Pirate [B]If it ain't FUN, you're doing something terribly WRONG. [/B]

05-30-2008	#4
Z51JEFF Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fremont,Ca Posts: 3,079	Re: '64 409, a legend too! My brothers father in law has 2 409s,might be 425 horse motors.Ill see him today sometime and ask about them.

06-01-2008	#5
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,655	Re: '64 409, a legend too! Franz: You should have been contacted by now. If you have not yet received an email let me know and I'll call him again. Regards, TomC __________________ TomC '90ZR1 #792 Honorary Pirate [B]If it ain't FUN, you're doing something terribly WRONG. [/B]

06-01-2008	#6
Z Factor Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: S. Florida Posts: 2,667	Re: '64 409, a legend too! Though not a 409, I have a friend who wants to sell a crated 427 short block that he bought for a restore that he never got around to. It is has a crank, pistons, etc., so if you decide to go with something other than a 409 let me know.

06-01-2008	#7
gbrtng Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Antonio area Posts: 1,179	Re: '64 409, a legend too! different engine __________________ “Buy the best example of what you want, and pay whatever it takes. That way, you cry only once.” ~ Bruce Meyer

06-02-2008	#8
ZR-1 Franz Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Solothurn, Switzerland Posts: 144	Re: '64 409, a legend too! Hello from Switzerland, Thank you for your help. It has to be a 409, because this was the original engine. The best choice would be a L-80, because this Impala SS had the L-80 (409/425 hp). But any other good and complete 409 would be ok too. But no truck 409! Thanks again and have a good time. __________________ ZR-1 Franz, '90 ZR-1 # 982 Red/Saddle (Manual Control Air Conditioning) Last edited by ZR-1 Franz; 06-02-2008 at 02:03 PM.

06-04-2008	#9
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,655	Re: '64 409, a legend too! Just a few pics of my friends 409's. a '62 "Bubble Top" 409 380HP, 4 speed, single 4 barrel carb, manual steering, manual brake, posi rear end, radio delete, all original. The 380HP 409 Powerplant: a '62 BelAir 409 425HP, 4 speed, dual 4 barrel carbs, manual steering, manual brake, posi rear end, all original: Couldn't find a good pic of the 409/425HP, I'll keep looking. Hard to believe that all this power was available over 46 years ago from your local Chevy dealership. Even harder to believe that all that power rode on polyglass tires and used manual drum brakes to stop. Going fast was easy with this kind of power, turning and stopping were things that these cars did not do well. TomC __________________ TomC '90ZR1 #792 Honorary Pirate [B]If it ain't FUN, you're doing something terribly WRONG. [/B] Last edited by tccrab; 06-04-2008 at 03:01 AM.