How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines

The photos in this edition are black and white.

Chevy's W-series 348 and later the 409 became legends on the street, and in particular the 409 also became a legend on the track. In the early 1960s, these engines powered a variety of GM vehicles and the Z11 Impalas at the drag strip. While these engines enjoyed a hay day in the early 1960s and pop culture status in the hot rod community, especially with the Beach Boys and their hit song "409", higher horsepower Mark IV Chevy big-block engines overshadowed these W-engines by the late 1960s. But recently, the 348s and 409s have enjoyed a high-performance renaissance and many speed manufacturers are making heads, blocks, and virtually every part for these engines.

Veteran magazine writer and author John Carollo provides insightful instruction for rebuilding a stock engine and also how to build a sound performance W-engine as well. The reader is shown how to select a strong clean block, free of core shift and fatal cracks, select the best heads for a particular build, and increase the compression ratio. Selecting a camshaft and a strong connecting rod and piston combination is also an important aspect of the engine build, and all options are examined.

Guidance in this book will allow you to select the right cam for a high-performance aftermarket package and a cam that won't over power a stock engine's valve train. In addition, building a large displacement stock engine of 427 inches or aftermarket block to go to 509 inches is covered. From mild to wild, from stock to modified, the book covers everything you need to know about the legendary 348-409 engines.

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How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines

The photos in this edition are black and white.

Chevy's W-series 348 and later the 409 became legends on the street, and in particular the 409 also became a legend on the track. In the early 1960s, these engines powered a variety of GM vehicles and the Z11 Impalas at the drag strip. While these engines enjoyed a hay day in the early 1960s and pop culture status in the hot rod community, especially with the Beach Boys and their hit song "409", higher horsepower Mark IV Chevy big-block engines overshadowed these W-engines by the late 1960s. But recently, the 348s and 409s have enjoyed a high-performance renaissance and many speed manufacturers are making heads, blocks, and virtually every part for these engines.

Veteran magazine writer and author John Carollo provides insightful instruction for rebuilding a stock engine and also how to build a sound performance W-engine as well. The reader is shown how to select a strong clean block, free of core shift and fatal cracks, select the best heads for a particular build, and increase the compression ratio. Selecting a camshaft and a strong connecting rod and piston combination is also an important aspect of the engine build, and all options are examined.

Guidance in this book will allow you to select the right cam for a high-performance aftermarket package and a cam that won't over power a stock engine's valve train. In addition, building a large displacement stock engine of 427 inches or aftermarket block to go to 509 inches is covered. From mild to wild, from stock to modified, the book covers everything you need to know about the legendary 348-409 engines.

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How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines

How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines

by John Carollo
How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines

How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines

by John Carollo

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Overview

The photos in this edition are black and white.

Chevy's W-series 348 and later the 409 became legends on the street, and in particular the 409 also became a legend on the track. In the early 1960s, these engines powered a variety of GM vehicles and the Z11 Impalas at the drag strip. While these engines enjoyed a hay day in the early 1960s and pop culture status in the hot rod community, especially with the Beach Boys and their hit song "409", higher horsepower Mark IV Chevy big-block engines overshadowed these W-engines by the late 1960s. But recently, the 348s and 409s have enjoyed a high-performance renaissance and many speed manufacturers are making heads, blocks, and virtually every part for these engines.

Veteran magazine writer and author John Carollo provides insightful instruction for rebuilding a stock engine and also how to build a sound performance W-engine as well. The reader is shown how to select a strong clean block, free of core shift and fatal cracks, select the best heads for a particular build, and increase the compression ratio. Selecting a camshaft and a strong connecting rod and piston combination is also an important aspect of the engine build, and all options are examined.

Guidance in this book will allow you to select the right cam for a high-performance aftermarket package and a cam that won't over power a stock engine's valve train. In addition, building a large displacement stock engine of 427 inches or aftermarket block to go to 509 inches is covered. From mild to wild, from stock to modified, the book covers everything you need to know about the legendary 348-409 engines.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781613254684
Publisher: Cartech
Publication date: 06/05/2012
Pages: 146
Product dimensions: 8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.31(d)

About the Author

John Carollo is an established freelance writer and photographer. He contributes to Engine Builder Magazine, Muscle Car Review, Super Chevy, and a number of other magazines. He also writes for several NASCAR magazines, including Stock Car Racing magazine. He lives in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Table of Contents

Table Of Contents:
Introduction 5
Chapter 1: Development and Design 6
History 6
Internal Specifics 11
Chapter 2: Engine Block 16
Block Identification 17
Washing and Magnafluxing 20
What to Check on W Blocks 21
Inspection Process 22
Block Preparation 24
Oiling System 26
Aftermarket Manufacturers 27
Chapter 3: Crankshafts, Rods and Pistons 31
Crankshafts 31
Connecting Rods 35
Pistons 37
Machining 41
Chapter 4: Cylinder Heads 43
Design Features 43
348 and 409 Differences 45
Machining 49
Head Selection 51
Stock Head Modifications 52
Aftermarket Head Manufacturers 54
Chapter 5: Camshafts and Valvetrain 64
Stock Cam Timing Specs 64
Flat-Tappet Camshafts 66
Roller Camshafts 67
Lifters 67
Cam Selection 68
Aftermarket Manufacturers 68
Pushrods 69
Rocker Arms 70
Valves 72
Valvesprings, Retainers and Locks 73
Timing Chain Set 74
Chapter 6: Induction and Ignition 75
Intake Manifolds 75
Carburetors 81
Ignition 83
Chapter 7: Headers and Exhaust 86
Header Development 86
Exhaust Design 89
Chapter 8: Cooling System 93
Design Factors 93
Cooling Capacity 95
Radiators 96
Water Pump 97
Fans 98
Airflow 98
Chapter 9: Stroker Engines 102
Stroker Math 102
Clearancing 103
Cam and Head Selection 105
Four-Bolt Main Bearing Conversion 105
Stroker Kits 105
Popular Combinations 107
Chapter 10: Teardown and Inspection 111
Removal 111
Inspection 114
Cleaning 117
Testing 119
Measuring Parts 120
Chapter 11: Engine Assembly 124
Proper Lubrication 124
Subassemblies 125
Block 125
Valves and Hardware 126
Cam Bearing Installation 127
Main Bearings 127
Crankshaft 128
Camshaft 131
Pistons 132
Degree the Camshaft 133
Front Dampener 134
Oil Pump, Windage Tray and Oil Pan 135
Cylinder Head 136
Intake and Ignition 141

Source Guide 144
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