348-409 Engine rebuilder in Ohio

[58Apache]

Hi,
Last year I bought a 58 Apache 1 ton that has a 348 in it...although I still haven't bothered to verify the numbers.

I am THINKING about rebuilding this engine, just because it's different and looks so cool. My goal is to make this truck a reliable long distance towing machine.

I met a guy with an early 60's Impala at a car show in Dayton a few weeks ago and he said something about an engine builder in Middletown.

I am wondering where would be a good place to take this block for a rebuild and what I would expect to pay?

The guy that sold it to me told me he THOUGHT it had been recently rebuilt, but that doesn't appear to be the case.....as a freeze plug appears to be leaking. The engine seems to run great so no hurry to rebuild.

Any idea on what I can expect to pay for a rebuild?

Are parts like new/rebuilt fuel pump, water pump etc available?

Steve

[CDNpontiac409guy]

Welcome in, Steve:cheers

Let me confirm this....

There IS no better tow rig:cheers :cheers :cheers :cheers :cheers

[JC327]

I took my 348 to "Culp & Comer" (or Comer & Culp) engines in Sidney. This was for a complete rebuild, although I provided the parts and assembly. I'll look for my receipt if you need a breakdown as to what job cost what. I think the labor total was about $1700 (although they provided a few parts and I think they farmed out a job or 2) -Jim

[58Apache]

Ohhh wow! That's almost exactly what I had hoped to make mine look like CDN. Well a few minor changes to reflect my personality ...but that looks SWEET!!! I love it! Would like to see more pics.

Thanks Jim! That helps a lot. I hope you find your paperwork.

What tranny you using CDN? I am thinking about putting a 4L80 or 4L85E behind that 348. Maybe a 1980's dually rear end?

What did you do for brakes and suspension up front?

Also thinking about putting on Vintage Air and power steering.

Steve

[CDNpontiac409guy]

I'm a bit of a traditional "truck driver" at heart, Steve;) ....
Mine is a completely original Canadian ( means Chevrolet engine ) 1959 GMC 9380 ( 3800 in Chevrolet ) 1 ton dually. One of the fundamental differences with the Canadian version was the 18" split rim wheels. I had all 7 chromed, then painted the centres. The whole truck is in need of a freshening now though.
Trans is the original 4 speed. Rear is original... 5.14 gear replaced with 4.10. 2850 RPM @ 60 MPH.
Built it in 1989. Has 80,000 miles since !
Here's a few pics of the build:

http://www.bruneauperformance.ca/1959GMC.html

[CDNpontiac409guy]

Just a quick pic to show that it DOES indeed travel....

Downtown Manhattan, New York, Oct 2001:cool:

[CDNpontiac409guy]

BTW, Steve.... yours is a little better than mine was:deal :cheers

Nice photo..... I have it "saved":D

[SS425HP]

Really nice truck, Aubrey. Looks good in front of Radio City Music Hall. Just think, in a few months you can take a picture just like that in front of the Kansas City Convention Center. Tell you what, When you do it, I'll take the picture so you and your truck can be in the picture. Now, that's a promise.

[SS425HP]

To 58Apache: Was that the ISCA car show in Dayton? If so, I might be able to tell you who you talked to about the 348/409 motors! You said it was an early 60s Impala, could it have been a 63? Maybe Black???????

Fred

[58Apache]

Looks good CDN! I just don't know how well I can trust what's in there without going through it all. Maybe I will. But that first gear in my 4 speed is a granny gear, and top speed with that rear seems to be about 50 MPH!


Fred, was that you? Harah Arena in late February?

The guy I talked to said he had his 409 rebuilt at some place in Middletown.

I heard these 348's and 409's are a little unusual and you need to find a machine shop that can handle them and know about them.

[58Apache]

CDN, you mentioned that mine was in a little better condition than yours was in when you got it.

Yeah thats the main reason I bought this truck. I don't normally buy vehicles off E-bay, but the price and condition was right! I still can't believe it.

I will be doing very little body or interior work except to pretty it up. I will be doing some mechanical upgrades though, just need to figure out a plan.

Right now it runs fairly well, and I am in the middle of a "frame-off" on another vehicle that I hope to tow with the truck some day.

So in the mean time I'll use the truck to go to the local home improvement store once in a while until I get to the rebuild/upgrade.

Steve

[Mr Goodwrench]

heres one of my old junk.

[CDNpontiac409guy]

There ya' go, Steve:cheers ...
In case you were second guessing your purchase & plans ;) ...

Mr Goodwrench... Could a I get hi-resolution copy of that photo ? !


It's great to see that there are others who know that REAL trucks have dual wheels :deal :cheers

Thanks Fred....
Looks like we'll be see another one ( maybe more:D )

[bobs409]

So what kind of gas mileage do trucks like these get? They look very heavy! :D

[Mr Goodwrench]

Bob mine dont do too bad, about 4.5 MPG :D but keep in ming thats pulling a GVW of 45,000 lbs. Wifes father bought those brand new,used to pull 67,000 with them....hard to believe considering what they do it with now. Aubrey love to send you a better photo, just havent learned how to reduce the file size and still get good clarity, maybe I e-mail you one direct, every time I tryed to post it here last night said it was too big when I reduced the file size it kinda screwed it up.

[JC327]

Block:
35.00 Pre-clean/inspect
160.00 Metal strip block & Pr heads
142.00 Line hone block
144.00 Bore & Finish hone block (+.040) (4.165)
124.00 Deck Block
95.00 Final wash block/Plugs/Cam bearings
90.00 Grind Crank (rods 010 mains 010)
40.00 R&R 8 pistons on rods
124.00 Recondition Rods
16.00 Side polish big ends of rods

Heads:
125.00 Valve grind/Unleaded conversion
112.00 Install & Fit valve guides
120.00 Install exhaust seats
58.00 Resurface Heads

Labor: $1385
Parts: $1228 (Show-cars.com)

Total job ~$2700

(as of 2001)

[CDNpontiac409guy]

Bob, mine used to do almost 9 MPG ( U.S. gal ) with the 427 inch 348. I expect the 482 will be near the same.

Mr Gw, .... 640 X 480 pixels:deal . That's the magic number.
You can send me a large one and I can edit it if you like.

[Mr Goodwrench]

Thanks aubrey I'll try that, send me pm if you want wuth your e-mail address and I'll send you one. Thanks!!!

[59elcooldsuv]

What awesome trucks you guys have! I used to have a 58 Apache with a 235-6. It was a real farm truck - the rear was geared so low that it would only do 45 on the highway. Never could get those danged vacuum wipers to work.

My machinist said my 348 block was good enough to not need decking or align-boring - and I did most of the cleaning myself. I've paid him $700 so far, & that included the forged pistons. I took the block home to grind casting flash & sharp edges - and paint it with POR-15.

After 7 months out of work I'm hoping to soon have some paychecks saved up so I can take it back to him for mounting the pistons & assembling the short block (since I don't have the right ring compressor).

[dq409]

Originally posted by 59elcooldsuv
After 7 months out of work I'm hoping to soon have some paychecks saved up so I can take it back to him for mounting the pistons & assembling the short block (since I don't have the right ring compressor).

If you have fingers,,,, you have the correct ring compressor !!:D
There is not a ring compressor for these blocks due to design,,,dq

[Mr Goodwrench]

I have a 1961 service manual from chevy that shows useing the old style ring compressor (like what we used to call the annco's) to put the pistons in, only useing it upsidedown. I just put a 348 together and tried it.....It worked great :D :D :D

[CDNpontiac409guy]

I've built 50 W blocks.... never used a ring compressor:deal :cheers

[59elcooldsuv]

Originally posted by CDNpontiac409guy
I've built 50 W blocks.... never used a ring compressor:

How do you get them in? Poke em with a screwdriver?

This machinist says he has one of those long ring compressors - the metal band type, but about twice as long as the piston. He says it'll slip right in.

Some folks have told me not to try it without the right tool cuz the ridge between the chamber & the cylinder will break rings.

[dq409]

Yeh,,,, and I had a machinist tell me to do the overbore .080 so you can use a ring compressor,,,,,NOT !!!