Barn Find L89
03-13-2018, 05:57 PM
#21
I went to the Haggerty website, pulled up the valuation tool, search by vin, and entered the serial number for my '59. The results did show my engine HP. BUT, italso listed all the other possible engine options.
03-13-2018, 06:10 PM
#22
Race Director
People put 409 motors in C1s back in the day.
Externally it isn't really any different than a MkIV. Exh manifolds would be my concern.
Doug
03-13-2018, 07:32 PM
#24
Le Mans Master
Very nice find, people are excited to find a car like that with no engine at all.
Yours happens to have a 348 or 409 in it. Those were never factory in a Corvette but they are classic engines and you can run it as is or sell the engine and take it back to a stock type engine. If it is a 409 they have value for sure if it is salvagable. They also made a ton of torque and would be interesting to have as a talking point.
A small block can be built for very little money and dropped in if you wish to be closer to original. Get the Vin from your glove box and start tracing the cars roots.
Again, nice find. If you got it really cheap, don't tell us, I hate to cry.
Yours happens to have a 348 or 409 in it. Those were never factory in a Corvette but they are classic engines and you can run it as is or sell the engine and take it back to a stock type engine. If it is a 409 they have value for sure if it is salvagable. They also made a ton of torque and would be interesting to have as a talking point.
A small block can be built for very little money and dropped in if you wish to be closer to original. Get the Vin from your glove box and start tracing the cars roots.
Again, nice find. If you got it really cheap, don't tell us, I hate to cry.
03-13-2018, 08:01 PM
#25
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2015
Location: Really Central IL Illinois
Posts: 5,187
Received 1,529 Likes
on
1,031 Posts
Welcome to the forum, great find.
You have noticed some cannot believe the used cars of the 60s and 70s were bubba'd with the swap of a small block 327 to a 348 or 409.
Well, having lived thru a good portion of that century, A 67 with a blown 327 / 300 hp (guessing about the original engine) could 'cheaply' be up graded with the 62 409 from a grain truck for the price of $100 or less while a 396 or 427 were in high demand and would bring $175 or more from the junk yard. At a buck an hour wage, $75 was a lot of money.
Given all of us were not born with the silver spoon in our mouth or anus, some rodders had to buy what they could afford, not what momma and daddy could afford.
Welcome to the world of NON PROPERLY RESTORED NCRS CORVETTE OWNERS club. Just here for fun.
You have noticed some cannot believe the used cars of the 60s and 70s were bubba'd with the swap of a small block 327 to a 348 or 409.
Well, having lived thru a good portion of that century, A 67 with a blown 327 / 300 hp (guessing about the original engine) could 'cheaply' be up graded with the 62 409 from a grain truck for the price of $100 or less while a 396 or 427 were in high demand and would bring $175 or more from the junk yard. At a buck an hour wage, $75 was a lot of money.
Given all of us were not born with the silver spoon in our mouth or anus, some rodders had to buy what they could afford, not what momma and daddy could afford.
Welcome to the world of NON PROPERLY RESTORED NCRS CORVETTE OWNERS club. Just here for fun.
Last edited by R66; 03-13-2018 at 08:03 PM.
The following users liked this post:
smacota1 (03-13-2018)
03-13-2018, 08:09 PM
#26
Can check for the rear sway bar and see what the rear axle code is to further confirm. But, I'm betting it is an L79- it has the 60 psi oil gauge.
03-13-2018, 08:13 PM
#27
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 48,973
Received 6,920 Likes
on
4,770 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
the same cluster was used for the 327/350 and 427/390/400 that means the oil gauge. but a pic showing if there is or was a rear bar would help
03-13-2018, 08:41 PM
#29
Drifting
03-13-2018, 09:01 PM
#30
Racer
If it is a 409 (and not a 348), throw a set of the new Edlebrock aluminum heads on it with a good cam and a Holley and it will give most Big Blocks of the era a run for the money.
While clearly not the original engine, if the frame and birdcage are solid it will make an excellent project car, and a unique period piece from the 60's.
Good luck and welcome to the Corvette Forum!
GUSTO
While clearly not the original engine, if the frame and birdcage are solid it will make an excellent project car, and a unique period piece from the 60's.
Good luck and welcome to the Corvette Forum!
GUSTO
03-13-2018, 09:30 PM
#31
Le Mans Master
Good luck... GUSTO
03-13-2018, 09:38 PM
#32
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
Posts: 48,973
Received 6,920 Likes
on
4,770 Posts
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Since I know nothing about 348/409 blocks what oil pan would you use on a mid year. A standard 396/427 pan won’t work will it?
03-13-2018, 09:49 PM
#33
Race Director
03-13-2018, 09:52 PM
#34
Le Mans Master
Honestly I have no idea, never really been much of a 409 fan. Although my Uncle bought an SS 409 Impala new in '63 and kept it for about 30 years. It always seemed that the big problem for them was the limited head options. It was quickly replaced by the 396/427 and most R&D ended then. Now of course Edlebrock offers a set of Performer 409 heads. They are designed for use with 1961-65 Chevy W Series 348 and 409 big block engines.
GUSTO
03-13-2018, 09:56 PM
#35
Correct. I guess I was more focusing on your solid lifter comment and that it probably does not have a rear sway bar. BUT, could it be the original radiator?
Last edited by KingRat; 03-13-2018 at 10:01 PM.
03-13-2018, 10:13 PM
#36
Race Director
The 61-64 409's used a 6 quart pan (6 quart system, 5 quart pan and 1 quart in the filter), while the 348's used a 5 quart pan (4 qt pan & 1 qt in filter).
I'm guessing the 348's smaller pan, might be easier to fit, but can't say for sure. Years ago, I knew someone who had a 409 in a 65 Chevelle. He had to modify the pan's sump quite a bit, to fit the 409 in the Chevelle. With the way the engine is set back in the Corvette frame, a 409 pan might not need a lot of modification, to fit in a Corvette frame?
The following users liked this post:
vjjack04 (03-13-2018)
03-13-2018, 10:34 PM
#37
Le Mans Master
The pans will interchange, but the 348 pan will need to be clearance'd to clear the counterweights of the 409 crank. The 409 pan will work fine on the 348 engine.
Good luck... GUSTO
Good luck... GUSTO
03-14-2018, 12:18 AM
#40
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Canada's capital
Posts: 19,777
Received 4,583 Likes
on
2,157 Posts
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Welcome to the best damn old corvette forum there is!
Gee I wonder if he changed springs on the front end to handle that boat anchor?
.....just kidding, great motor but a tad an the heavy side, which, if I remember right was the reason GM dropped that W design in favour for the newer big block.
I'd leave it in there, get it road ready and freak people out at show/shines.
What ever the case I'd love to hear about the chase. Where did you hear about it and how did it proceed, ending up in your hands?
Gee I wonder if he changed springs on the front end to handle that boat anchor?
.....just kidding, great motor but a tad an the heavy side, which, if I remember right was the reason GM dropped that W design in favour for the newer big block.I'd leave it in there, get it road ready and freak people out at show/shines.
What ever the case I'd love to hear about the chase. Where did you hear about it and how did it proceed, ending up in your hands?
