A 409" build - thanks, Mike and sometimes luck happens.

Engine tech, for those engines, products, and technologies of yesteryear.

Moderator: Team

Post Reply
PackardV8
Guru
Guru
Posts: 7619
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:03 pm
Location: Spokane, WA

A 409" build - thanks, Mike and sometimes luck happens.

Post by PackardV8 »

My machinist is building a 480 cubic-inch 409" W-series engine for his '55 Chevy pickup and wants a hydraulic roller cam kit for it.

Naturally, I told him Jones Cams was the go-to for camshaft selection and Mike said his HR73353-75348-112 would be the best all-around choice.
233/240 @.050"
.353"/.348" Lobe Lift
.600"/.591" Valve Lift
112 LSA
The bad news is Mike said he doesn't have any 409" cores and no idea when they might be in.

We started checking with CompCams, Herbert, Iskenderian and found similar specs; but all six weeks to six months out and $450-$650 plus shipping

Then, a random search on eBay found a NOS Crane unit available immediately and at a good price, shipping included! From the Crane catalog:
HR-230/352-2S-12
For street performance, good mid-range torque and HP, fair idle, 3600-4400 cruise RPM,
10.0 to 11.5 compression ratio advised. 2600- 6600 RPM range
230/234 @ .050”
292/296 advertised 8-42/54-0 @ .000"
112 LCA
.616”/ .628” valve lift

We'd have rather had Mike's new science profiles, but then it's an obsolete platform anyway and good enough for Harvey Crane is good enough for this old school build.

Bonus question for those who've had some experience with the W-engine; Herbert, et al, offer a 4-7 firing order swap in their catalog. With standard cam cores so thin on the ground, is there enough demand/benefit to offer both for the W ??
Jack Vines
Studebaker-Packard V8 Limited
Obsolete Engineering
User avatar
frnkeore
Expert
Expert
Posts: 825
Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2019 3:06 am
Location: Oregon

Re: A 409" build - thanks, Mike and sometimes luck happens.

Post by frnkeore »

I an not remember when I last saw a 409 and very rarely a 348. So, regarding demand, I doubt that there is enough for any new products.

Other than that, all I have to say is, have fun with "Your four speed, dual-quad, positraction four-oh-nine." and "Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up 409" =D>
User avatar
CamKing
Guru
Guru
Posts: 10709
Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:05 pm
Location: Denver, NC
Contact:

Re: A 409" build - thanks, Mike and sometimes luck happens.

Post by CamKing »

PackardV8 wrote: Wed May 04, 2022 12:53 pm
Bonus question for those who've had some experience with the W-engine; Herbert, et al, offer a 4-7 firing order swap in their catalog. With standard cam cores so thin on the ground, is there enough demand/benefit to offer both for the W ??
One of the cam core manufacturers(CMC, I think) only made a flat tappet core for the 409, but as HR cams became more popular, they decided to make a 409 HR core. To be different then the other cores on the market, they only made the core in a 4/7 swap.
Mike Jones
Jones Cam Designs

Denver, NC
jonescams@bellsouth.net
http://www.jonescams.com
Jones Cam Designs' HotPass Vendors Forum: viewforum.php?f=44
(704)489-2449
Post Reply