348/409

[madrattr]

as some of you know,i recently retrieved my 49 merc from body shop purgatory with a dillema...finish it or sell it........everything for the car including engine etc.... went up in smoke in a shop fire last year and ive been a little lost on what to do...well.....ive been giving thought to building an old w motor...409 blocks are pricey just to get started..but 348 blocks can be had....althought not as free as a few years back,but easier to find than their bigger brother....my question is,what am i looking for...ive been told to stay away from '58 blocks,i plan on edelbrock aluminum heads and a 4 inch stroke crank...how far can they usually be bored...i know,i know,core shift etc...have it sonic tested blah,blah blah...my question is,what is a good combo? what do they dislike?...its one of my bucket list powerplants...im getting the v8 4 speed falcon out of my system,might as well get a w motor done too...soooo?any suggestions?

[CamaroDoc]

My first 4 wheeled vehicle was a 60 GMC shortwide with a 348 stuffed in it. It was a blast to drive. The 348 was a torque monster but it ate starters for lunch. I know the pistons are heavy and they don't like to be revved real high without a load on them. I believe the rods were a weak link. I have a 348 crank, balancer, clutch & flywheel package, and a factory 4 bbl intake if you need them... I did have some rods, pistons and other stuff too but that would require some digging.


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[Bluedot]

I did have some rods, pistons and other stuff too but that would require some digging.

You should organize your shop one of these days.

[CamaroDoc]

You should organize your shop one of these days.

Thanks.. I might try that....


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[madrattr]

My first 4 wheeled vehicle was a 60 GMC shortwide with a 348 stuffed in it. It was a blast to drive. The 348 was a torque monster but it ate starters for lunch. I know the pistons are heavy and they don't like to be revved real high without a load on them. I believe the rods were a weak link. I have a 348 crank, balancer, clutch & flywheel package, and a factory 4 bbl intake if you need them... I did have some rods, pistons and other stuff too but that would require some digging.


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thanks doc..but im gonna stroke it and buy aftermarket everything if i do this...just need a block....it will end up around 445 cubes...better than the afformentioned 409 of song and fable.....gotta make headers though........or build a 440 6 pack

[Wrenchbender]

I'm not real knowledgeable about the ol W motors but I know a guy who knows them well his new motor for his 62 chevy is 461" I think he is using a big block crank that was ground to fit from what I understand it's pretty basic stuff and common big block stuff he has some w motor stuff I'll see if he has a block that he will part with does it matter to you if it's a car or truck block

[madrattr]

I'm not real knowledgeable about the ol W motors but I know a guy who knows them well his new motor for his 62 chevy is 461" I think he is using a big block crank that was ground to fit from what I understand it's pretty basic stuff and common big block stuff he has some w motor stuff I'll see if he has a block that he will part with does it matter to you if it's a car or truck block

car or truck either one will work fine...truck stuff is better cause its usually cheaper...lol....ive thought about using a 366 crank in a 348 block and end up with about 414 cubes.....and bbc rods are a bolt in....i really wish there was and option on the heads but real,big port 409 heads cost a fortune....and by the time the parts and machine work are done,i could buy the edelbrocks.....but id rather have iron,,,,ok,thats a lie...id rather have aluminum,but for iron 348 prices..

[madrattr]

and id like an opinion on intakes too...edelbrock makes a new dual quad intake that works better than about anything out there...but the 348 3x2 intakes can still be had..but the ports are tiny....how far can they be ported or does anybody know?....or should i ask,does anybody alive know? .does anybody know of an aftermarket 3x2 w motor intake?

[Wrenchbender]

The 2-4 intake is way better and even the big port 409 heads don't flow as well as the edelbrock ones or so I've been told and for the cost just buy the new ones you get more bang for the buck

[33willysgasr]

Randy if your guy has an '09 block I'm looking too! Truck block is fine! rattr the holes don't line up on the big port heads (factory or edelbrock) to be able to run a 3 deuce intake, just fyi...