348/409: Why don't you see them

I seen this auction listed in one of my rod magazines, he collected gobs and gobs of 348/409 stuff for years. Wish I could have made it to that auction, it looked awesome.........

 

Squab -

Stop and take a couple deep breaths man! Hey, its only rock n' roll. This is just conversation - not a personal attack. (-:

Now then. What I was trying to say was that the W-motors were purpose-designed for trucks (and despite the fact that they were installed in cars, that remains a fact) - hence torquey to the max, but not particularly suited to high-rpm operation - in stock form. Torque is OK, but with limited port size, that's all you get. Without exceptional breathing, you just run out of steam after a time. The '09s were better for sure, but they were still fitted into comparably heavy cars and (as with the 348s) not everyone could master the nuances of getting the three deuces to work together perfectly.

I'm certainly not above a bit of bullshitting now and then, but the tale about the 352 Ford kicking 348 ass is gospel. First of all, the '58 Fords were several hundred pounds lighter than the Chevies (which I eluded to in my post). Also, street racing was almost always less than a full quarter mile - often it was just from stoplight to stoplight. That meant the ability to "leave" quickly was key. The heavier the car, the less success you're going to have in that regard. Bottom line - you can believe what you want, but I was there. The 348s sounded bitchin' wheeling through the drive ins, but they didn't necessarily rule the street (again, I'm referring to those in stock form).

Now, if you go back and read my post again, I think you'll see your "fucking the wrong duck" - as someone said to me the other day - LOL. I'm a W-motor fan, and would still be very interested if something really affordable came along. But being a fan though, doesn't preclude the truth. They are what they are.

That said. Check out how good this one looks in this deuce roadster. I took this shot a few years back at the CHRR in Bakersfield. Love the metallic grey valve covers and black block.

 

hahahahaha.....speaking of....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129849

 

Just to add a little fuel to the 'truck engine; controversy, didn't the BBC appear in Chev & GMC trucks in a 366 version?

I'm not sure of the timing, but it was around the same time the 396 appeared in cars

A BBC guru should be able to set me straight on dates and usage

 

Here's a pic of my deuce with a mostly stock 348 except 2x4 offy intake and a mild cam. Runs good, lots of torque and gets lots of looks. Also notice no steering on left side, it's a New Zealand car with RHD. More looks and questions.

 

HEAVY EXPENSIVE SLOBS. Doesn't make them a bad engine, but you can go faster for cheaper and with much less weight to boot.....THATS why they arent' seen in many hot rods and why they probably are better left for the Impalas and trucks they were designed for......Unless you want a HEAVY, EXPENSIVE SLOB for a motor in your hot rod.

Of course, I'm one to talk.....I'm using a freek'n Y-block in mine.

-Bigchief.

 

Collectors and restorers of muscle cars have driven the price on 409s up - 348s are fun, but limited to what you can do to them. I seriously wanted to stick a 409/425 in my A-bone, but I can build two 450hp sbcs for what they want for a turnkey 409. Small blocks are much more ubiquitous, as the W-engine was only made for a few years, and unless you can find a set of highdollar HP heads, you're just not going to make enough hp to shred your back hides. So if you want one of those torque monsters, you gotta:

"saved my nickles and I saved my dimes...for I knew there would be a time.."

dj

 

heres mine....348, 3x2's, isky cam, mild head work, runs strong, real strong....and its for sale too....

 

409 didn't come with three twos - four barrel and two fours only. After the aftermarket came out with good progressive linkage, there was no problem tuning the trips on 348s.


Mutt

 

Yep, the factory 3X2 had a 'vacuum trip-switch' that was hit by the throttle linkage at just about WOT on the center carb, then the 2 end carbs came on full-bore, so it was 'all or nothing' for the end 2 carbs

 

I also love those engines and when I tried to buy one a '60 4dr wagon that had a 348 in it (car was sitting since the '70s) I was told it was not for sale. O.k. simental value I thought, untill I saw it on a trailer crushed for scrapmetal. I could have never been so pissed. Cause I would have given a lot more than the scrapmetal guy.

 

There exspinsive but there somthing to drule over once you see the finished product my 348 came with my first car a 1962 Chevy Bel Air the 348 is a 1965 Chevy Truck Block it's a more stronger build my Bel Airs Previous owner is a man named Mel who lives a block down from ware i live and he baught it from a 409 rebuilder in CA the Mel called him up to buy some parts but he sold all his engines and decided to stop rebuilding 409 all he had left to sell was a 1962 2dr Bel Air the rest is history.








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