Early 58 348's

[Mark Mallek]

Can I use 3758379 heads on my 3732811 block? Could someone explain the information below? Thank You!

Block# 3732811
Year used: 1958
Model: Passenger car
Engine: 348
Horsepower: 250,280,315
Bore: 4.125
Stroke: 3.25
Main Journal: 2.50
Rod Journal: 2.20
Notes: First 348 block for 1958 and can only be used with #3732791 heads. The block has no provisions for spark plug cooling holes to the 1958 cylinder heads.

 

[models916]

weld it up

You can weld the extra hole in the later heads and receive some added plug cooling as the water circulates through the entire head. Are you sure the block has no provision for you to drill the hole?

 

[Mark Mallek]

Thanks for your response. The information I posted below my question was taken off of this website under 348/409 casting numbers page under block casting numbers. I already had the engine built, and I stumbled accross that information. I don't want to ruin a brand new motor, so I thought I'd see if anyone could give me further direction here.

 

[models916]

pic for you

You can drill the hole if the heads are off.

 

[5509]

58 heads

I have a set of 58 348 heads,complete.See sell area.I would like for someone to get some use out of them. Tom

 

[oldskydog]

Mark,
I believe the info for your 811 block is not quite correct. It was the second version of the 58 block and has the spark plug cooling pads cast into the block as well as the indentations for the holes but are not drilled. At least mine has them. My engine is an 811 cast Sept 26, 1957 and has the 791 heads without the cooling, cast Sept24, 1957. The engine is original to the car. The 811 must have been an intermediate block casting with the cooling pads provided but not drilled while they were still engineering the 379 heads and the 011 block. I believe the first version of the 58 engine was cast 3751872 and this is the one without the cooling pads so you can only use the 791 heads or the service replacement 256 heads(these have the cooling jacket cast but not drilled). This should be the block pictured in Models 916's post.