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Technical Engine ID by valve cover?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by RMONTY, Feb 23, 2017.

  1. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    I ran across this car today, and am not familiar enough with Chevy V8 engines to know what I was looking at. I have a chance to buy the car but I was curious what the engine is. The valve covers are unique looking to me. I am sure someone can provide some insight on this engine just by the shape of the valve covers. IMG_20170223_154538-1.jpg IMG_20170223_154647.jpg
     
    dana barlow and kidcampbell71 like this.
  2. Chavezk21
    Joined: Jan 3, 2013
    Posts: 767

    Chavezk21
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  3. RamJet1
    Joined: Apr 9, 2012
    Posts: 343

    RamJet1
    Member

    Yeppers, and if you know which side the dipstick was on, you'd be closer to knowing which one. Not guaranteed, but pretty reliable method.
    Sweet car, by the way! Judging by the Mud Dawber nests, that little gem might be in Texas.
     
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  4. Wyld Deuce
    Joined: Oct 17, 2005
    Posts: 104

    Wyld Deuce
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    from ...

    I agree.

     

  5. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
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    It looks like the dipstick is on the drivers side.....I think you can see it in the picture. Look right below the 2 rear spark plug wires.....looks like a dipstick to me.
     
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  6. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
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    has AC and a Mopar alternator. Neat car!
     
    1927graham likes this.
  7. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    It has an SS automatic console of some sort, The interior is covered in rat turds. I tried to look underneath to see how roached the floorboards are. Couldn't really tell but the car is mine if I want it. It's not going anywhere anytime soon.....so I guess I need to gather more info....I have no idea what transmission is in it. It's sunk pretty low in the ground at the moment. I may need to go out there with a jack and get up under it, huh?
     
  8. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
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    from Idaho

    That's one strange '51 Chevrolet ... I wonder what's underneath there, too.
     
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  9. partsdawg
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 3,503

    partsdawg
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    from Minnesota

    Figure out what you have after you get it out of there as fast as you can.
     
  10. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
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    Dipstick location same as this 348. IMG_1479.JPG
     
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  11. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    Here is the other side of the engine.... IMG_20170223_154554.jpg
     
  12. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
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    I would be all over that. If it's got an Impala SS console in it, there's a fair chance that the engine is out of the same car, and a passenger car 409 is a fantastic score in and of itself. But a 51(?) Belair hardtop with radiused wheelwells and a W-motor swap is a cool enough old rod that it might be worth saving all in one piece. Would be a hell of a cool stable mate to sit next to that chopped sedan delivery you're working on.

    Get this, and get it soon. Get it home first. Everything else can wait.
     
  13. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    The firewall has me wondering; it does't look like a 51-52 Chevrolet passenger car, although the steering box does (???). Got any more photos of the car? It would make for a nice build/rebuild. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

    OK, that extra photo confirms the 51-52 Chev passenger car after all. If you can get this car, GET IT!
     
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  14. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
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    There is a 51 2 door car there also. It's basically a shell. It looks like it still has the 3 speed in it but the sheet metal appears to be straight and very little rust. Doors and fenders look very solid. I couldnt get under it either. These cars have been sitting since '93 or '94.
     
  15. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
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    Did the Bel Air have the brake M/C on the firewall from the factory?
     
  16. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
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    If I had the means, I'd be all over that.
     
  17. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

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    "Short Timers"...
    But I'd grab that Chevy so fast the clock wouldn't have time to change! Yessir...
     
  18. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
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    gimpyshotrods
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    No, it would have been under the floor, but that likely had to be culled to do this engine/transmission swap.
     
  19. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
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    Ok so the big question is.....what's it worth? I know that is opening a can of worms but I need some edumacation on this one!
     
  20. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
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    Worth? It's worth whatever you can get it for. Well...up to a point. I'd figure $2k tops. But I expect you'll get a wide variety of answers.




    Has two fuel filters, I wonder if the tank was rusty 20+ years ago? :)
     
  21. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
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    I don't see a shift rail on top of the steering column tube. It is likely a floor shift, probably an automatic, as a clutch setup would a chore to get working properly. I don't see any evidence of it on the firewall.
     
  22. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
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    There is a console between bucket seats....it says SS on it. I wasnt sure if it was a Chevelle SS or what...Squawblow mentioned the Impala SS......so that might be what it is. I guess I need to glove up and go back over there and get some casting numbers off the engine. I was ill-prepared to go turd-diving this afternoon.
     
  23. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
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    Just get us a ton of pictures.
     
  24. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
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    Hmmmm.....interesting on the worth. I believe I can get both cars for far less than that.....but I haven't talked to the decision maker yet. There is also a full skirted 51 4 door PowerGlide there that "was running" when parked years ago....Not really interested in that one though. I may end up being the "negotiator" for that car.
     
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  25. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
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    So if this is a 348 or a 409, what are the weaknesses and strong points of these engines? Also, what are the potential rebuild costs on these engines?
     
  26. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
    Member

    someone pointed out that it has the dipstick where a 348 would, so it's not likely to be a 409. A 348 is usually worth just a bit less than you spent to rebuild it :)

    They look neat, and you can get them to run ok if you spend a lot of bread...at least that's my take, I've never messed with them. Too easy to make power with other Chevy engines.
     
  27. RaginPin3Appl3
    Joined: Mar 31, 2016
    Posts: 1,172

    RaginPin3Appl3
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  28. The whole package is kind of unique. Would be way cool to rescue it and rebuild it as is.
     

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