348ci Chevy??

[Wet Dream]

A buddy of mine just showed up with a raffle ticket for a 1961 Chevy Impala, with a 348. Is the 348 a stroked 327? This is a new one to me. Or is this the version before the true 350?

[disco_charger]

The 348 grew up to become the 409

[wsuwrhr]

A 348 is the earlier version of the 409. I am pretty sure they share the same cool valve cover.
Brian
[ May 10, 2003, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: wsuwrhr ]

[wsuwrhr]

Beat me to it.
Brian

[wsuwrhr]

Disco I have your license plate ready to machine..
Brian

[Wet Dream]

Yeah, he is describing it to me and the valve covers have an odd design. Is this a small cubed big block?

[wsuwrhr]

You have never heard of a 409? It is a motor all of its own. Similar to a big block chevy. I am pretty sure it shared no parts with any other motor.
Brian

[Wet Dream]

She's so fine...my 409. Yes, i know a little of the 409 but have never had the pleasure of seeing one or driving one. That was before my time.

[wsuwrhr]

Before my time too buddy. haha. 30 year old here.
I am not a die hard Chevy fan, but I was always intrigued with the 409's valve covers.
Brian

[GofastRacer]

Since I just turned 25 a couple of weeks ago, I don't know shit about these motors but I found these sites that has some info on them!.. :D :D
My 409! (http://mickey.mega.net/tech_support/409_history.htm)
348-409 (http://www.348-409.com/forum/index.php?s=)

[wsuwrhr]

GoFast I shot you a five for those links. Cool deal..
Brian

[eliminator777]

348's are kool some had tri-power carbs. they had one version that made 425 hp chev. Solid lifters, 3x2 carbs. Centrifical advance dist. they were also in 1 1/2 ton trucks started building them in 1958 thru 1962.You had to order them. all 409 sruff fits. their spendie but kool!!!!!!!!!!!!I hope he wins.factory IMPALA with 348 is worth a big money. :D :D :D :p :p :cool:

[GofastRacer]

wsuwrhr:
GoFast I shot you a five for those links. Cool deal..
Brian Thanks dude, they are one of a kind motor, a piece of history!. Wish I had still had my second car, a 58 Impala rag top!.. :cool: :cool:

[wsuwrhr]

At 25 you already got rid of a SECOND car? And a '58 Impala ragtop at that. Geez, I don't even think I got rid of my sixth car yet. I will have to go outside and see if I still have it.
Brian

[GofastRacer]

wsuwrhr:
At 25 you already got rid of a SECOND car? And a '58 Impala ragtop at that. Geez, I don't even think I got rid of my sixth car yet. I will have to go outside and see if I still have it.
Brian Hmmm, why do I get the feeling you don't think I'm 25!.. :D :D :D :D

[wsuwrhr]

Laughs, yea I was pretty much calling your bluff.
Brian

[GofastRacer]

Well, what the hell it sounded good!.. :D :D

[lovemyultra]

Actually the 348 didnt ever have a 425hp rating but the 409 did. Most of the old timers will remember the trick of 348 with 409 heads for higher compression when octane or cost wasnt the issue, pair that motor with a 4.11 rear end and a 60 Impala and it was a fairly lethal 5500 lbs car

[GofastRacer]

If I remember right, the highest HP rating for a 348 was 340hp in 60-61 with a 4 speed and solid lifter cam!.. :)

[Rexone]

GoFast = 25 like 540 = 348 :D
[ May 11, 2003, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Rexone ]

[GofastRacer]

Rexone:
GoFast = 25 like 540 = 348 :D wink :D :D :D

[disco_charger]

wsuwrhr:
Disco I have your license plate ready to machine..
Brian Let me know, and I'll come get it and give you money.

[Fiat48]

lovemyultra:
Actually the 348 didnt ever have a 425hp rating but the 409 did. Most of the old timers will remember the trick of 348 with 409 heads for higher compression when octane or cost wasnt the issue, pair that motor with a 4.11 rear end and a 60 Impala and it was a fairly lethal 5500 lbs car :D I was gonna say that but then that would be admitting my old age. Glad you admitted yours! :rolleyes: I had 3 different 409's. One was the 425 dual quad in my 55 Chevy. One single 4 barrel, 4 speed in a 61 Impala. And when I wrecked the 61 Impala, put the engine and 4 speed in a 1967 Austin Healy 3000 Mark III. :p
[ May 11, 2003, 10:15 PM: Message edited by: Fiat48 ]

[058]

lovemyultra:
Actually the 348 didnt ever have a 425hp rating but the 409 did. Most of the old timers will remember the trick of 348 with 409 heads for higher compression when octane or cost wasnt the issue, pair that motor with a 4.11 rear end and a 60 Impala and it was a fairly lethal 5500 lbs car Tell me, how does swapping 348/409 heads raise compresson ratio? Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't all "W" Chevys have the combustion chambers in the cylinders and not the heads? I must be showing my age esp. since I'm not even a Chevy guy. :D

[lovemyultra]

I must be mistaken sorry if you got any bad info from me

[Fiat48]

058:
lovemyultra:
Actually the 348 didnt ever have a 425hp rating but the 409 did. Most of the old timers will remember the trick of 348 with 409 heads for higher compression when octane or cost wasnt the issue, pair that motor with a 4.11 rear end and a 60 Impala and it was a fairly lethal 5500 lbs car Tell me, how does swapping 348/409 heads raise compresson ratio? Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't all "W" Chevys have the combustion chambers in the cylinders and not the heads? I must be showing my age esp. since I'm not even a Chevy guy. :D You may not be a Chevy guy, but you got it right about the "Overhead Flat Head" and the combustion chambers are the cylinders. Maybe the 409 ports were bigger, but all the heads were "flat". :D

[GofastRacer]

Well, sinse this stuff is waaay before my time!, I may be wrong on this but wasn't compression determined by deck hight and piston design??.. :confused:

[Free Agent]

Yep the 348 and the 409 are related. Several versions of the 409.
The truck version and different performance versions for cars.
Sometimes the truck version ended up in cars new from the factory. Considered incorrect in classic car circles even though it was factory installed.
The 409 and 348 look similar laying on the garage floor except for a minor difference. The 409 has a one and a half inch X on the block casting near the top, and the dipsticks are on different sides because of slightly different oilpans..
If you remove the head of a 409, the truck version has a recess at the top of the cylinder, the car version does not.
The 409 was produced until 1965 but the new, popular 427 was also available that year so it's super rare to find a 409 in a '65.
A few places around that specialize in both the 348 and it's big brother the 409.
Both the 348 and all versions of the 409 put out considerably more horsepower than Chevy claimed in their literature. A lot more.
The 348 in a '61 is a good running car.
Both the 348 and 409 have their own unique sound.
Very good running engines,, but the new version big blocks had advantages over them and they quickly faded away.
A brand new, 1963 409 Bel Air is at the Imperial Palace for 40 grand. The guy bought it new in 63 and never drove it. Has about 65 orig miles on it,, mostly from driving it on and off the car hauler for shows. Spent most it's entire life garaged.
Tempting,,,,
[ May 20, 2003, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: Free Agent ]