[wheelzup56]

Ok. its not a big block...or is it? The big block was born from it right? My question is .....what modifications must I do to install a 348/409 in to my 57 chevy? I hear the firewall has to be modified. Header availability was scarce. I have the stock manifolds so be it. Its a 348 3x2 set up. Ill be running a M-21 transmission behind it.

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Sounds like a great plan....We have a few members with W motors installed....Monk and Scotty T come to mind.....Do a search and you'll come up with all kinds of info.....Earl Williams makes a set of motor mounts that move the engine forward http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/226846/post/1781939/hl//fromsearch/1/#1781939 So, you don't have to bash in the firewall.

 

[BigDaddyRat]

will it fit.....??

Ok. its not a big block...or is it? The big block was born from it right? My question is .....what modifications must I do to install a 348/409 in to my 57 chevy? I hear the firewall has to be modified. Header availability was scarce. I have the stock manifolds so be it. Its a 348 3x2 set up. Ill be running a M-21 transmission behind it.

Well, can't imagine the 348 would require any modification, not sure about the 409 though, may need to move forward up to 1 1/2" but I don't think more than that, I just shoved a 598ci tall deck Dart block in my 55 and made very little modifications to the firewall, I am 1 1/2" forward though, just measure from back of head to front of pulley on harmonic balancer of your stock motor and compare to same distance on the 348 and 409, be sure to take into consideration the location of the back of the stock heads in relation to the firewall when making your calculations. If you don't have an existing motor in there to compare, just measure from the firewall to the radiator support, then compare that to your measurements from the back of the head, valve cover, to the front edge of your Harmonic balancer, if the pully is 1/2" short of that distance, all you have to do is put your radiator on the outside (toward the front) of the radiator support (rather than the stock location) and the engine should fit in there fine. For reference, my pictures should help if you take a close look. good luck, BigDaddy

 

[Kiwi56]

Wheelzup
check out the post from Monk on his 409 install http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40587
Great video at the start and engine installed pic's and info about post # 40
Truly an awesome car
How bout some pic's of yours ?

 

[r66ss]

keep us posted and pics to :happy0030:

 

[USA1]

Inasmuch as people have installed 348/409 cranks in 396-454 blocks & the other way around the modifications are the same.

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Installing a 348-409 engine is very similar to installing a traditional big block. They are the same length, and have the same bore spacing. In fact you can use a 348/409 crank in a 396/427/454 block if you use bearing spacers.

And the 348/409 has the side mounts in the same place as any other Chevy V8 engine that has side mount bosses. So you can use side mount kits for small blocks and big blocks in the same way as with those engines. Like a big block you may want to move a 348/409 engine forward by 3/4" - 1-1/4" for the usual reasons - firewall clearance, etc.

 

[auggie56]

I saw one in a 55' back in the sixties, done by a shade tree mechanic. He used the stock exhaust manifolds to, I don't recall what he did with mounts though. :anim_25:

 

[Jim '57]

348/409 was the first Big block.
Jim

 

[scotty t]

i've got a 348 in my 55 vert. i did it the inexpensive (cheap) way. if you are building a big$ car use "Monks" method.

here's a link
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30309

 

[auggie56]

Here's a parts and machining source for these engines.


http://www.tracyvette.com/blocks348409.html

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Here's a parts and machining source for these engines. http://www.tracyvette.com/blocks348409.html

CHEVY 348 PARTS
We have a few 348 engine blocks, cranks, connecting rods, heads, 4 barrel and tripower intakes, carburetors, valve covers, water pumps, and other components available for 1958 to 1961 Chevrolet passenger cars, trucks, race cars and street rods. We also offer rebuilding kits for these engines. Call or email for information.

CHEVY 409 PARTS
We also have a few 409 low performance and high performance engine blocks, cranks, connecting rods, heads, single and dual quad intakes, carbs, oil pans, valve covers and other parts available. These parts are drying up very fast due to real drag racers, nostalgia racers, restoring of classic Chevrolets and street rod applications. We also offer rebuilding kits for these engines and all other Chevy Engines. Call or email for information.