348 truck motor

[1fatkat]

Hi guys,
I'm new to this site, or any other as far as that goes. I have a '55 chevy 2-door hardtop which was an original V-8 with automatic that I'm going to fix-up and thought I'd drop a 348 in it just to be a little different. I happened to pick-up what I thought was a good deal on a truck 348 with two sets of heads. Engine casting # 3798962. 1st set of heads #3732791. 2nd set of heads #3819333. Price with intake, original 4-barrel and all the brackets for the measley sum of $400.00 bucks.
I've got just a few questions about all this and some feedback would be great.

1) Was $400.00 about right, too much or a good deal?
2) Is there a substantial difference between the 348 car engine and the truck engine? If so what would be the difference and would it really matter in the application I'm going to use it?
3) What could I reasonably expect in the way of horse power?

I'm sure that I will have more questions later but for right now these will be ok.
I'm 50 yrs. young and living in Las Vegas, NV. My wife and I have been married for 30 years. 4 children and 2 grand children later I'm ready to do a little something for myself.
Thanks everyone
1FATKAT

[Tom Kochtanek]

FatKat:

You are not too late, you're just in time, and now you've introduced yourself to the right people! I started my projects when I was about 50 (that was my excuse for buying the first X frame and "W" engine), still chugging along a few years later :).

Your "962" block indicates a "Service replacement or truck block" made in 1961. I think that's accurate, others will chime in if it is not correct. Look at the bore if you have the block apart. If it has two "eyelids" at the top, you've likely got a 348 truck block. If one eyelid is present, it's a passenger car block (a bit more desirable). The heads you have are from a passenger car (the ones ending in "379") and from a truck 348 or 409 (ending in "333"). Both will work well in a mild build (up to maybe 350 or more horses). You should consider bigger valves for both exhaust and intake, using stainless parts. That will pep her up a bit.

I assume the intake is cast iron. Check the numbers on it and match it to those listed elsewhere within this site (see Home page and click on links such as: http://www.348-409.com/cast.html). If it's a truck intake (rather long oil inlet tube) you might look look for some sort of "governor" on the carb. In general, truck parts, while fully functional, are not thought of as "performance parts". But it will run and look great with those unique valve covers :) :) :).

Check your newly acquired stash out in terms of casting numbers, let us know what you have, what you want (horses, torque) and someone will get you going.

Is it worth $400? I have purchased complete 348 engines for as little as $100, up to around $500, depending on condition. If it's stuck, I offer $100. If it turns over, is something I want or need (a relative concept -- I NEED EVERYTHING) I might offer more. So you are in the right ballpark.

If you are used to building SBC or BBC engines, you will be a bit surpised by the cost of the some of the "W" components, but in the end you will have something no one else on your block has :).

Good luck and keep us posted.

Cheers!
TomK

[1fatkat]

Thanks Tom for your feedback. I checked the cylinders and found that there is only one "eyelid" in each cylinder so I'm assuming that it is a car block, also the 4-V intake manifold has a short oil filler tube. It also looks as though the carb has some sort of "vacuum"? governor maybe bolted to it, it's 'kinda funny looking. I'll be looking forward to more info as time goes by.
Thanks again,
1fatkat