348

   The 348 engine was first introduced in October of 1957.

   The 348 was originally scheduled to be used only in Chevrolet trucks. More cubic inches were needed in the passenger cars so the 348 was used there as well.

   In the first year, two versions were available; the 4-barrel 250hp and the 280hp equipped with 3-2 barrel carburetor's. Late in 58, another version was released, this time being the 315hp 348.

   The additional horsepower was achieved by using a high lift cam and solid lifters. It also was equipped with the 3-2 barrel carb setup.

   The 250hp, and the 280hp were available with powerglide or turboglide transmission, however the 315hp 348 was only available with the 3-speed transmission.

   The 4-speed was available for the 59 models. The 305hp version was introduced and was nothing more than the 315hp with a 4-barrel instead of the 3-2 barrels.

   Available for 1959 were the, 250hp, 280hp, 305hp, 315hp, 320hp and a 335hp 348's.

   The higher horsepower engines were equipped with dual point distributors, improved head's and 2 1/2"exhaust. The carter AFB was also introduced and used on the 320hp.

   By 1961, the horsepower was still growing. Now available were the 340hp and the 350hp 348's. This year would mark the birth of the famed 409 engine.

Cubic Inch=348 Bore=4.125 Stroke=3.25 Firing order=1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Engine Weight=640/650lbs Forged Crank=has round flywheel bolt flange Connecting rod length=6.135 inches Crankshaft mains=2.4977 Push rod length=exhaust 9.140, intake 8.772 Push rod diameter=5/16" (all) Fuel pump push rod length=5.75 inches Dipstick on Drivers side Ignition timing=4 degrees B.T.D.C. Spark plugs=AC44 (standard), AC45 (hotter), AC43 (colder) Spark plug gap=.035" Rocker arm ration=1.75:1 Internally balanced All 348's were assembled at the Tonowanda plant.

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409

   Late in 1961 the 409 engine was released. Because of it's late arrival, production numbers were low in the first year.

   The total production figures for 409's in '61 was only 142! Making them very rare today. This also marked the first year of the SS. There was a total of 453 Supersports made in 1961. The 1961 SS 409 could be considered the father of the muscle car for Chevy.

   Other auto makers like, Pontiac, Buick, Plymouth, were all coming out with bigger engines. Chevrolet needed the 409 to keep up at the drag strips.

   There was only one version of the 409 in 1961. It was the 360hp. It was equipped with solid lifters, high lift cam, and a 4-barrel Carter AFB carburetor.

   In 1962, a 380hp could be had. More importantly the 409hp 409 with 2 4-barrel Carter AFB's was now available. This is the one that the Beach boys were singing about in '62.

   1963 saw 3 new horsepower 409's. The 340hp, 400hp, and the 425hp. The 340hp had hydraulic lifters, and both the 400 and 425hp came with solid lifters, and special cam. This was the first year chrome was used on the 409's.

   The 400hp 409 came with a single 4-barrel Carter AFB carburetor, and the 425hp 409 with 2 4-barrel Carter AFB's.

   These same three engines were available for 1964 however it would be the last year for the 425hp version.

   In 1965 the 340hp and the 400hp 409's were the only sizes available. Sales dwindled down to 2,828 in 1965 due to the 409 option ending around February of 1965. This was the last year for the 409. It was replaced by the 396.

Cubic Inch=409 Bore=4.3125 Stroke=3.5 Firing order=1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Engine Weight=640/650lbs Forged Crank=has bell shaped flywheel bolt flange Connecting rod length=6.00 inches Connecting rod weight=25.025 ounces Crankshaft mains=2.4977 Push rod length=exhaust 9.140, intake 8.772 Fuel pump pushrod length=5.75 inches Dipstick on Passenger side Spark plugs=AC43N (standard), AC44N (hotter), AC42N (colder) Spark plug gap=.035" Rocker arm ratio=1.75:1 Internally balanced X on block starting mid year of '62 All 409's were assembled at the Tonowanda plant. *note, there were some blocks with CFD cast into them that were supposed to have come from the Central Foundry Division when there was a strike at the Tonowanda plant. Click here to view a sample Production of 409 equipped cars: 1961-142 1962-15,019 1963-16,902 1964-8,864 1965-2,828-(2,086 340hp/742 400hp) 43,755 409 engines were produced from 1961-1965. These totals do not include trucks