razecarz

Razecarz

Razecarz

Active Member
HI there, new guy here. I spent 7 years doing a frame off resto on my 62 Impala. It was originally just a coupe with 6 cylinder, power glide, bench seat and not an SS. I built it into a 62 Impala SS 409 tribute car with bucket seats, Super T10 and all the SS bits. Although the motor is really a 348 from a 65 truck, the guy i bought it from had badged it up like a 409 380 HP so I thought...what they hey! But now I am wondering what it would take to make that 348 a 409? And that's why I am here! RaeADJ RAE Impalla 11x8_O5A8377.jpgADJ RAE Impala 11x8_O5A8308.jpgADJ RAE Impala 11x8_O5A8402.jpgADJ RAE Impalla 11x8_O5A8260.jpgADJ RAE Impala 11x8_O5A8471.jpgADJ RAE Impalla 11x8_O5A8300.jpgADJ RAE Impala 11x8_O5A8226.jpg
 
D

Don Jacks

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 3
:welcome2Rae,The only way to make it a 409 or so cubic inches is to STROKE it.Rarely is there enough cylinder wall to withstand the 187 thousandths it would take,plus the 1/4 inch stroke.Even if yours did go that far,there wouldn't be anything left for future use.To get to a 409 inch combo,you'll need an .040 over bore,and a modified 396-427 BB crank.It'll be cheaper to go with a 4 inch stroker kit .A 4 inch stroke and a .060 overbore will net you 440 cubic inches.
 
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Dick MacKenzie

Dick MacKenzie

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 9
Welcome! Listen to Don, he's the man! Meanwhile if you stroke that 348 you'll have a 348 casting in a 62. Look for an 068 casting 409 block and at least you'll have a correct year casting in your 62. They're out there.
 
Tom Kochtanek

Tom Kochtanek

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 13
Nice car! I did something similar years back, started with a solid 1962 Impala (it was a factory SS car) and retro-fitted a 409 four speed to replace the 283 powerglide :). I was lucky in finding a date coded 1962 409 engine some years back.

Funny thing about 348s and 409s, everyone seems to prefer the 409 but in some cases the 348 could be seen as more appropriate (like in a 1958-61 full size Chevy). But a 348 block-based engine in a 1962-3-4-5 passenger car is not as desirable since they weren't offered in passenger cars during that era (but they were in select trucks).

I'd recommend driving your car as it is while looking for a 409 block and heads assuming you wish to be "period correct". I must admit, that 348 does look period correct, however, and none of us would be ashamed to drive her about as she is now :).

Good luck!
TomK
 
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