'62 Impala #s 409/409hp

[tom406]

With thanks to the late Verne Frantz, who educated me when I was authenticating 348 and 409 cars years back, I am confident that is a decked and restamped block. Linear broach marks that replicate small block pad surfacing, is the tell. The ‘62 409 Bel Air I was inspecting also had linear broach marks, and Verne set it straight, saying that the 74 degree deck of the W motors made them not work on the 90 degree broaching machine, so the low production W motors were decked with a rotary tool that left circular marks on the pad. I’m attaching some (I believe) untouched W motor pads for reference.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Originally Posted by tom406

With thanks to the late Verne Frantz, who educated me when I was authenticating 348 and 409 cars years back, I am confident that is a decked and restamped block. Linear broach marks that replicate small block pad surfacing, is the tell. The ‘62 409 Bel Air I was inspecting also had linear broach marks, and Verne set it straight, saying that the 74 degree deck of the W motors made them not work on the 90 degree broaching machine, so the low production W motors were decked with a rotary tool that left circular marks on the pad. I’m attaching some (I believe) untouched W motor pads for reference.

Classic example of the knowledge this site brings to the hobby...Verne was a great contributor to all of us.

-wilma

[tom406]

At least one plant started getting things straight with serial numbers on 409s-this is a ‘63 340hp Los Angeles-built convertible that was owned by one family since 1968.

[lowmile]

A little off topic but could there ever be any reason for an very early 67 z engine to have circular cut on the block surface. I have one of the first 25 z blocks, it was cast in 66 it has the circular cut and a with a factory pad stamp. The car has not been found.. I've known the block for over 35 years. The font and style is dead on. I would bet everything I own on the block being legit.