Opinion on 348 truck engines

[Tom Kochtanek]

I would be interested in your opinion on 348 truck engines, specifically this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7924468231&fromMakeTrack=true

I have a good friend in the Toldeo area who is willing to pick up and store this engine until I were able to visit next summer.

Always interested in saving the "W",
TomK

[2obnxs]

I'd buy it on looks alone. Too bad he's teasing us with that 3x2 set up sitting on it in the one pic.

[Tom Kochtanek]

Adam, thanks for your opinion. I suspect it has had a "minor" rebuild and a "DuPont" paint job to look that good :) I've got a complete but cracked, stuck 348 just like it and it looks just as good in a photo :). But then he states it has been rebuilt using existing pistons, new rings and bearings, etc. Wish it had been fired up so we really new...

I recall Aubrey mentioning that 348 truck blocks were something less than desirable. Perhaps he was referring to the earlier ones, not the mid 60's? And then I wonder about those original pistons, connecting rods, and valves. All of this breaks Lamar's words of wisdom about replacing these parts upon rebuilding.

But then this would not be destined for a passenger car. I was this close to getting my future car hauler, a 1962 Chevy Grain Hauler (with a rebuilt 6 cylinder), but lost to another guy who got out there quicker. I thought having a dump bed with a 348, eventually turning that into a hauler might just be the ticket :)

Cheers,
TomK

[348NUT]

I'd be very leary of any "rebuilt" engine on Ebay. On truck blocks, the way I understand it, some had the two large cutouts to drop compression. I have a 61 block like this, and some had the car style cut out and used special pistons to drop the compression. (I'm thinking the 62 and later blocks) If Phil is reading this maybe he could shed some light on this? It is the block with the massive cut outs that is not good for performance. The other is the same as a car block. I'm assuming this is a #655 block :dunno probably a great deal, but you'd be taking a chance. I'd plan on pulling a head and a couple bearing caps at least before running it!

[Fran Preve]

I agree with what's been said, pig in a poke, be VERY careful!. They built 348 truck motors until the mid '60's. I don't believe you could bore a late 348, even a truck, to 409, I KNOW you couldn't a passenger car!. Unles you sonic checked the walls and then rolled the dice. If the block has a 348 casting number it was cast as a 348, if it has a 409 casting number (but a 348 bore), then you could. BIG IF!. GM wouldn't change the casting number on a 409 block just to bore it to 348, they'd simple use a 409 block and put in a 348 cutter. Possible?. Yup, did they?. Couldn't say. I will say that GM uses two DIFFERENT blocks with the 3.1 and 3.4 60 degree V-6's even though the bores were nearly the same. Made our life MUCH more difficult seperating them all the time. Why not use a common block with a bore wall thick enough to go to 3.4 and just have a little more wall thickness (very little!) as a 3.1?. Anyway........................................

[Tom Kochtanek]

You guys are correct:

The block casting number is: 3857655
Head casting numbers are: 8819333

Is this the block with the "double" eyebrow?

The pistons are cast (ugh!).

Best,
TomK

[348NUT]

I see the reserve was not met. Maybe he'll relist? The block I have with the "double eyebrows" is a 3755011. I'm assuming the 655 block has one notch but I don't know this for sure. Call Phil and ask him if all 655 blocks had one notch. The 655 is the block that usually checks out good for boring to standard 409! and if you dig into it further, please let me know what you find out. :)

[DIV1RACER-2]

just dismantled a 655 before convention. has 1 eye brow ! in next month i will be taking this block to machine shop to sonic test. i will post wall thickness after it has been ckd. hope to use for my next street motor. totally unmolested low milage engine.


BTW , have 333 heads & complete bottom end for sale. :brow



denny

[348NUT]

does that engine have the low compression truck pistons? See the picture below.

[DIV1RACER-2]

Arron,

Just looked & that is the exact piston that this motor has!Tried to find casting or julian date but being dark & dirty wasn't able to locate. Bought this motor at least 15 years ago .



Denny :)