What is a 348 engine?
What is a 348 engine?
First appearing in 1958, the 348 was available through 1961 in cars and 1964 in trucks. It had a bore of 4.125 inches and a stroke of 3.25 inches and was offered in an assortment of horsepower ratings. The base engine was dubbed the Turbo-Thrust and was rated at 250 hp.
When did Chevy stop making the 348 engine block?
As with block casting numbers (or any casting numbers for that matter), the information on just how many blocks were made by Chevrolet is incomplete. We do know, however, that production of the 348 was not shut down when the 409 began. Chevrolet continued making the 348 to use in trucks, going into 1965.
What kind of engine does a Chevy 348 have?
So, it makes perfect sense that with all those parts, there are a surprisingly high number of stroker combos available. Chevy’s W-series 348 and later the 409 became legends on the street, and in particular the 409 also became a legend on the track.
Can you tell the difference between 348 and 409 engine blocks?
Therefore, since the 348 and 409 oil pans are somewhat interchangeable, identifying a block using dipstick placement is not 100-percent foolproof. If the block has had one or both of the heads removed, checking the bore can provide solid clues.
Can a 348 oil pan be used on a stroker motor?
The oil pan of a 348 can’t always be used on a stroker motor as it is slightly narrower than those made for 409s. The answer is to use the wider 409 oil pan or, as Joe Jill from Superior Automotive says, “notch the 348 pan.”
What was the life span of a Chevrolet 348 engine?
Chevrolet’s 348/409 engines were good performers and they were dependable engines. But in stark contrast to the Methuselah-like life span of the Chevrolet small-block, as early as 1963 it was clear that the 409 had reached the end of its developmental rope, due primarily to shortcomings in the design of its iconic scalloped heads.
As with block casting numbers (or any casting numbers for that matter), the information on just how many blocks were made by Chevrolet is incomplete. We do know, however, that production of the 348 was not shut down when the 409 began. Chevrolet continued making the 348 to use in trucks, going into 1965.
What kind of crankshaft does a 348 Chevy use?
Scat sells a neutral-balanced, 4-inch-stroke, forged 4340-steel crank for 348-409 Chevy engines. The W-series motors have the same bore spacing and 2.20-inch rod journals as a modern big-block Chevy, but the front crank snout and timing cover seal are the same as a small-block.
What was the top speed of a 1958 Chevy 348?
The 348 should be remembered not as a mighty powerhouse, but as a smooth and reliable big-block for the new, larger Impala. Its 10-second 0-60 mph capability was about the norm for 1958 – hardly the kick-in-the-back acceleration provided by the FI or dual-quad 283s.
