Technical 348 409??

G'day, I would love to get my hands on another 409. I had a block freshly hot tanked at the machine shop back in 1997 when we had our major flood. The machine shop was next to a dry cleaner. All the nasty solvents from the dr cleaner flowed through the machine shop and my block grew fuzz in 10 days. Ended up going to scrap.

I have a lead on another that I have failed to follow up on. My high school Physics teacher from 1974 decided that he was going to hoard 283, 327, and 409 engines. He bought all my left over stuff. I should approach him about scoring a complete passenger car 409 before it gets too late. Maybe he will want to part with a bunch of the old stuff.

 

I paid $800 for a good 348 block and crank and a bare set if '61 heads about 4 years ago. My plan was an Edelbrock small port aluminum intake. The crank is forged; I been told all 348 cranks were forged.

 

I have a 348 that I cant find a part # on Has a date code # of J2857 ...would this be a 65 casting year? i have looked on the 348/409 website...i have looked this block all over

 

hey everybody ,
good news is the motor is at my house ,so so new is not a 409 which I knew .
I cannot get the photos to upload today but here's the skinny I believe a 1960 348
3755011
f8 60

heads 3758379

manifold 3748848?
gm no 1
k657. XX
carbs gn rochester 2
one has vacuum
one does not one has large can on side choke?

crank 3732692. ?
gm 23
crank has main caps nut no rods or pistons water pump etc

 

August 60 block with spark plug cooling holes, Nov 57 intake, heads will need work to get higher HP, block will have a single notch ( this is standard for 348 car blocks).
Using 9.5:1 pistons will give a nice driving engine able to run on shit fuel with out knocking.
Good pick up,

 

If you didn't have to pay 409 prices, then you should be good, if it is build able.

 

Nice score!! you could always put a 4" stroker crank in and away you go

 

Have you checked for cracks just below the head surface on each side. Known for cracking front to back about an inch or so below the deck surface. Had one that was pinned by a machinist. Seem to be ok.
Have you check the p/s front tab for the suffix code? Located here:

 

Back in the day I remember a lot of 58 and 59s that were tri-power 348s with 409 short blocks in stock class.

 

I inspected the block visually around the head area.It is single notched on cylinder . as for the price I payed that's still up in the air . what is the general opinion of what I have is worth ? I can magneflux the block if the value is there ,of course I know it is essential for the build so I guess im asking for a general value of the parts I have without magneflux and if I do it . I also have the valve covers . I will try to upload the dam pics

 

Its for my merc ,I need grunt and go

 

Looks just like your minus a few grand lol

 

U2, any chance you can give us the suffix code. A 60 block should a FE code. There were two could be an F. FA or maybe the FE which would be killer but I doubt that it is a FE. FE had a solid cam and the highest HP for a 348. If it was an Fe it would be worth a bunch of $$$$$$.

 

I have the motor in my garage ,where is the suffix code and ill go find it

 

I don't see a suffix code here
http://www.348-409.com/blockcast.html

 

The suffix code will be on the right front block deck surface. Just ahead of the cylinder head.

 

Was watching the Mechum auction the other night & listening to the "experts" describing the cars as they came thru. There was a nice 61 bubbletop at auction. They went on & on about how it was a "wow" 409 with trips.... idiots ! Just goes to show that all (of us ) experts are in our shop building cars. And, know something more than the wizards on TV shows....bet they caught shit for that one

 

Well, lets hope that the rich kids who bid on those cars actually have knowledge about them and ignore those auctioneers.

 

Located here


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Hey what's that opening above the timing cover that's not on SB or BBCs?

 

eh

When he pulled the cover off it while laying on the pile of other stuff and said 409 I thought ??? so I called back and he said dipstick was on passenger side and I thought 409 or truck 348 ,when I picked it up from the old timer it didn't even have a oilpan on it ,but I am not an expert on W motors so I asked and on the 348 409 site got every drop of info I needed about the 1960 348 .and what to go after if and when I do it it would essentially be a 380cu when done