I am told it has a 409 in it.But i know the guy by sight who built it. I need to know how i tell the difference.It was all painted up while the rest of kar is bad,348s are wanted but not as bad as a 409, its been siting in field for 8 years.Can anyone share with me how to make the , deciding factor if its either motor. They said take it out of here. I couldn't get to a roll back quick enough.Maybe paring it out is the next choice to make.......please chime in. Its A 60 chevy 2 dr biscayne.
take it anyway - 2dr Biscaynes are likely low production, parts will be worth a couple of bucks, and whether it's a 348 or a 409, a hotrodder needs to own that motor.
Do some homework on that car BEFORE you decide to part it out and propwash is right, it doesn't really matter which engine it is as long as it's a W engine, it's worth some bucks and worth saving whether it runs or not..
I have the kar home. But,how do you tell 348 from 409. i used to know this stuff but the years have made me forget . any help And thanks for the great advice.Now if i just had a 56 chevy to put it in/
Some quick visual checks but these are easily changed so you'll need the casting numbers to be sure. 348 has small port heads - 409 large 348 has 2" exhaust pipe flange 409 2.5" 348 dipstick on drivers side 409 on passenger side 348 painted valve covers, 409 chrome OK anyone with some tools and 409 parts can change all that stuff & make a 348 look like 409 in a few hours And someone could have patched up their 409 with 348 parts. Check the numbers
The numbers on the rite front of the block, on the pad that is an extension of the deck surface. The 2x4bbl 409 has a larger intake port but a "Lo Perf" 09 has the small intake port like a 348.
Now that's the idea I had a 56 B/A 2dr ht that I put a tri-power 348 in, back in 68. I bought a 55 B/A 2dr ht that had that motor installed, but the kid was on leave before going to Viet Nam and wrecked it. So it was an easy swap for me, a 17 yr old, with no talent or tools It was not a great car, but I sure did like the way the motor looked in there.
In 60 the 348 was an option, but as we all know cars are messed with over the years, and it wouldn't be hard to drop one in.
for sure look at the pad numbers and the back block numbers if you can see them.Stock it would not be a 409 till 61,but someone easily could have put one in there,as well as changing the oil pan but doubtful.the numbers dont lie,then go to the 348 409 site,its easy to get around and all casting numbers are there to see what you have,good luck.
Just one thing to think about......machine work and parts will cost about the same for a 348 or 409, wether you stay stock or go crazy.....but when all the work is done and the motor is complete a 409 is worth 4x what a 348 is worth. Cool factor for either motor is great. Free engine to start with is EXCELLENT ! Just remember....these are expensive to build so depending on what your end play is should be taken into consideration. If you just want a W motor in your rod....then I say build the freebie and have a blast doing it !
A 409 will have an X cast into the block between the drivers side water pump mounting boss and the timing cover. Its kinda hidden behind the waterpump.
The motor looks great, i'm thinking 348..the kar was hidden from the wife in a divorce situation after all these years [8 or 10]The engine looks brand new, guess getting it stared will tell me a lot.They are a bad looking motor. I had a 348 in the 60s..........but can't remember much about them although i do remember my father-in- law sold it to because one push rod was always getting bent. ps i am looking for a 4-barrel to fit the stock manifold.......for test purposes only.If the motors good, i will start getting it out.The body isn't bad but theres nothing much holding it together, the floor is about gone all the way around. thank you guys for the great help bob s
Just to see if it runs and idles ok? On a tight budjet? Don't laugh, but you can make an adapter plate to bolt any 2 barrel on to it. I think I used one of those bakelite heat insulators that go under a 4 barrel, then drilled holes for a big base Rochester 2GC. or if it is a 348 and you know of donor cars, it would have a Rochester 4 GC which is that square looking carb used on many GM v8s throughout the 50s. Improvise
The casting numbers are your best bet, while I have never ever changed the stamped numbers on an engine I am sure that a lot of fellas have over the years.
Not always true. I have a 348 out of a 65 truck and it has the X and a 409 style oil pan. And its definitely just a 348. You need to check the stamp on the block or measure the inside to be sure.
I second that. I just sold a car with the same motor. I used to hear people argue all the time about the dipstick and just stand back and laugh.
The Jalopy Journal
