Truck Engine Rebuilds

[jim_ss409]

Gabe, the head gasket that comes with the regular FelPro engine gasket set will be about .040 to .042 thick when compressed. That will work just fine. But if you really want to get the perfect amount of piston to head clearance thinner steel shim style gaskets are available. Just exactly what the perfect "quench" (piston to head) distance is depends on who you talk to, but I've noticed that the experts are quick to point out that a large bore engine, like a 409 requires a little more clearance to allow for piston rock. Some suggest .010 of piston to head clearance for every inch of bore as a safe figure but I think you should be able to go as low as .035 if you're carefully to make sure you've got that on every cylinder. I have no experience with the cast pistons but if they end up being somewhere close to .010 from the top of the deck when the engine is assembled that would be fine because they say that if you can get the quench distance down to about .055 or less your doing good. But if you're going to end up with more than .055 you can go with the .022 steel shim gasket...
3575S4 409 Steel shim head gasket embossed .022... Ea. $24.00
3575A Head gasket sealant spray... Ea. $9.95
The sealant might be worth getting too because the thing gasket will be more likely to leak.
Keep in mind though that most guys would just use the thicker gasket that comes with the kit and never give it a second thought so the engine would be just fine that way. The main advantage of optimizing the quench distance is that it reduces the chances of detonation and will give you a little bit more power.
I should also point out that Aubreys pistons are designed to come up the top of the block. So the quench distance comes out just right with the standard FelPro gasket.

 

[gabriel-cestaro]

thanks jim i have my answer
gabe

 

[jr.W]

Jim are the steel shim gaskets being made new yet or are they nos.

Thanks jr.W

 

[jim_ss409]

Jim are the steel shim gaskets being made new yet or are they nos.

Thanks jr.W

I think they're now being made new because Show Cars lists them in their catalog...
http://www.show-cars.com/03 Engine Int 1.htm
Look in the gaskets section, about three quarters of the way down the page.

 

[62ImpalaSS]

Jim-

Thanks for the work up on the truck 409. My 65' short block is on the truck to me now. I think that I am going to use the 350 hp build. Since I do not have a set of 333 heads I may use the new (I Know don't hate me for it) edelbrock heads. I am not a drag racer and just want a nice street able car.

I am sure that as I go I will have additional questions, but wow you guys are a wealth of info.

Once I have it built I will post some dyno numbers for you.

 

[petepedlar]

Don't feel bad about using the Edelbrock heads. They will do a great job for a cruiser and getting 350 HP will be a snap. One big bonus for us street guys is that they have hardened seats in them, which are pretty tricky to put into a factory head. They'll run forever on todays gas.

rumor has it that you're better off to buy the heads bare & install your own valves & springs........ for one thing----that way you can get the proper spring for your application......... and I've heard that Edelbrock keeps the price down by using cheaper valves & springs.

I think it's a good choice if you have to buy heads. IMO the BWR's are better but you don't need them for your plans.

.......... again it's all just my opinion.

Dave

 

[Ronnie Russell]

I like Dave's opinion. Personally, I would love to have a set of Edelbrock heads on my street motor. Good tip about the valves and springs. Edelbrocks pushrod sets are comprised of 8.650 and 9.00 lengths. I think , no, I know, I would measure for your particular engines pushrods. One size does not fit all. Good luck with your build.

 

[raymar58409]

Jim, I think its great you done all that for us members here.. Since you didn't do the original post until AFTERI built mine:takethat at least now I know I did a couple things right. We'll also see how my 379 heads work out with all thework I put into them with the BB valves and porting. If I ever put it together.
Ray

 

[spike 409]

Thanks Jim

Jim,just found the buildup for 300-450 HP truck engines. Awesome job !!! Thanks for all the information. Spike 409

 

[jim_ss409]

Spike, Keep in mind that these buildup suggestions are based on using the small port low performance and truck heads. There is a lot more power potential available by using either factory large port "high performance" heads or aftermarket high performance style heads. I think 450hp would get a full size Chevy into the high twelves. You'd probably need slicks though.

 

[Duder]

This is a fantastic thread. Many thanks Jim!

 

[jim_ss409]

This is a fairly old thread but more recently Yellow Wagon has built a very impressive truck engine. It made 473.5 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 462.5 ft. lbs @ 4,400 Here's the link... http://www.348-409.com/forum/index.php?threads/yellow-wagons-409.18072/
Jason, (Yellow Wagon) also did a post on the real world pricing.
http://www.348-409.com/forum/index.php?threads/my-truck-engine-rebuild-price-list.17373/

 

[yellow wagon]

Duder, if you have any questions fire away. My motor is pretty basic but it runs well. Here is the vid of the 473hp dyno pull. It sounds pretty good

 

[Phil Reed]

Duder, if you have any questions fire away. My motor is pretty basic but it runs well. Here is the vid of the 473hp dyno pull. It sounds pretty good

I remember the day well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But probably not as well as you do Jason!!!!!!!!!

 

[yellow wagon]

You got that right Phil!! Had a grat time that day. Hope all is well with you!

 

[Howard Hull]

WOW, thanks for sending this thread to a newbe, you have given me alot of information and encouragement to build my truck block and heads.
Keep the faith.
Howard

 

[buildit]

Just about all the answers that are needed for somebody getting started with 409s.