Projects How do I tell the difference between a 348 or 409?

DO NOT go by the oil pan, the cylinder heads, intake manifolds or anything outside of the engine.
Oil pans can be changed, heads and manifolds...can be changed..!

Like porknbeaner said, look at the numbers stamped into the block, OR, measure the crank and bore...period.

Mike

 

How do you tell the difference Price.

 

YIKES! That was a 57, so sad

 

Casting numbers would seem to be the place to start. My question is, could the 348 be bored/stroked to 409ci? --or--what is the difference in the two engines? Tim

 

I read you can take a 454 BB crankshaft and grind the mains down to fit a 348 block. The bore spacing is the same. You end up with a big inch W stroked motor. Edelbrock makes new W aluminum heads.

 

Been doing some research on these motors and here is a little bit of what I have found.

348 bore/stroke: 4.125 x 3.25
409 bore/stroke: 4.312 x 3.50
427 W : 4.312 x 3.650
427 (later): 4.251 x 3.76
454 : 4.251 x 4.00
To drop a 454 crank into a 409, you either have to turn the crank mains down .250 or open up the main bearing caps. That makes them thin, so you should use high quality aftermarket 4-bolt mains. But not splayed bolt, as the block won't support that.
So, with a 454 crank, you still have a bore larger than a 454, with a 1/2-inch stroke on it. Comes out to 480-cubes and change.

 

The crankshaft flywheel bolt flange is a different shape, 348's are round, 409's are bell shaped. Both are forged steel. I know not much help in this case, but out and setting on the floor it helps.

 

You can put a 409 crank in one easy enough that is a big help for one.

 

They make stroker kits for the 348 steel forged crank drops right in. Thats the 454 style crank. Show Cars sells all you need rods pistons rings bearings I think about $3000.00 or there abouts. check the 348-409.com site they have all the casting #s for both of these engines. Its easier to stroke the 348 than to punch out a 348 and do all the machine work that is needed.