When I taught at a Tennessee state vo-tech school in the mid-1980's, we had a brand new, never-fired 409 engine for a 1965 Impala that had been donated to the school by GM when it opened in the early 1970's. We disassembled it once, and there were still felt-tip marker notes on the piston crowns, indicating the weight in grams!
I got offered $3,000.00 by a collector once, if I'd take a 30-minute coffee break after the students left for the day, and come back to find a 348 in place of the 409. I refused the offer! After I moved on to another job, they closed the shop down and the engine disappeared. Don't know where if finally went!
Jerry
