[62ImpalaSS]

Ok I have been hanging out in the background just reading and learning and I now have a question for all of you. I am working on a 62 Impala SS and the owner before me removed the 327 peeled and installed a 350 with a four speed. I have just come across a 348 locally for $800 and am tempted to build it instead of doing something with the 350. I am just building a nice driver no weekend racing or anything just a nice car with a little get up and go. I know for the nostalgia the 348 is the engine to go with.

In deference of the 350 I was going to do something like this article did to a 355.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te.../148_0306_355/

I guess I am not sure how hard it is to find parts for the 348 vs the 350 I know that everyone and there dog makes parts for the 350 and I will have about $3000 to spend on a engine rebuild.

The other trick is convincing the wife to let me buy the 348 since I am not to that part of the restoration process.

any input or thoughts on the 350 build is greatly appreciated. I am just a weekend builder and am new to the hotrod and building, but have a brother that is a mechanic so I am planning to do most of the work myself.

[347mustang]

the 348 and 409's are cool.but i think finding parts for them are really hard to get...on the other hand..350 parts are dime a dozen..and can be found at any auto parts store

[Hippie]

Build the 350 to look like a period correct 327. The 348 was not available in passenger cars in '62 and while parts are getting easier to find now they are $$$$. I have a "thing" about putting older motors in newer cars, if you had a '58-'61 the 348 would be OK but otherwise I'd say no, but that's just me. Besides a mild 350 will run circles around the 348, when I turned 16 my parents had a '60 Impala with a 348 so I logged a lot of seat time behind one. I still have a soft spot for them but a 350 is the way to go.

[stepside454]

agreed.....if it were a 409 I might say otherwise

[USA1]

Build a 406 and cloak it in 283 emblems. Wolf in sheep's clothing.

[stepside454]

I never got into that gamehad a guy at the track who had a 65 Chevells who did the same, tried to tell everyone it was a 283....took one look at the dampner & anyone who knew anything knew better, wasnt long before everyone knew he was full of crap...actually, we knew that anyway

[62ImpalaSS]

Well I would love to get my hands on a 409 but that is getting harder to do. I think I will just do something with the 350 that I have and if a 409 drops in my lap I will go that route. Who knows maybe ebay will produce a 409 for me.

[stepside454]

there was a rumor around here a few years ago of me doing just that, I had an 86 Caballero that I had built a mild 305 for. Wasnt long before people were saying that it was a 383... & that I was tellin everyone that it was a 305. based on how well it performed, somebody assumed I wasnt tellin the truth & the rumor started. I was kinda flattered actually LOL.

[55 GMC100Tuckin]

This is more for the last thread about the 305. Until I took the time to look up the cast number I was told the engine I got was a 350. I didn't have a list, but I did see the GM 5.7Lg stamp on the driver side rear lip. What gives? This is a 87-91 roller cam engine. Did GM screw up those year stamps? The block casting number is deffinently for a 305-- 14093627-- I'm just confused why it would have the 5.7 stamp as well. ? for 454, is you don't mind could I get a parts list for the 383 sounding 305??

[stepside454]

dont know what to say about the 305/350 delima.
As far as the 383 sounding 305... I didnt say it sounded like a 383.....apparently it performed well enough for some to assume it was a 383 LOL.
305 + .030, "0" decked, stock cast crank, stock rods+arp bolts, KB143 pistons making 10.3:1 with 58 CC heads. Comp Cams XE256 cam,pocket ported L-98 Corvette aluminum heads, Performer intake, 570 Holley,1 5/8" headers 2 1/2" duals, dual cats, HEI dist. from D.U.I. thats about it. passed IM240 smog with eas, pulled 16" of vacuum at idle, ran 13.70s with 3.08 posi

[348chevy]

if i were you i would go with the 348 because: it was the first big block, it has a cool design, not every one knows what it is, and it not another boring 350. If you know how to build it the 348 would be a engine to beat. And its not that hard to find parts ( blocks, heads, intakes, cams, oil pans, valve covers, etc.) I'm only 16 and i've been able to get almost get a totally complete engine just off ebay. And if you were wanting a 409 there are 3 on ebay right now they'll cost more though ($700-$2000). And don't worry about convincing your wife to let you buy it. Just you get it then let her yell at you later, at least thats what i do with my mom.

[NAIRB]

The 348 was really a fine engine. I am doing one right now for a customer, and have done several in the past. The real problem with them is that they are old, and many, many times, the cores are just junk.

348's are the pits when it comes to cracked heads. Magnaflux everything. Trust me.

Get ready to spend more than 3 grand to build it right, unless it's already in cherry condition.

Main bearings alone are 200.00 smackers. However, you can buy all the parts you need for them. There's quite a market for the W motor.

However, they are very good looking, smooth and very powerful engines. The one I'm building is a factory 11.0:1 engine with solid lifters and a yanker in a 60 Impala.

If you can afford to build it, it will be a much more satisfying to drive and look at.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Hippie

Build the 350 to look like a period correct 327.

The 348 was not available in passenger cars in '62 and while parts are getting easier to find now they are $$$$. I have a "thing" about putting older motors in newer cars, if you had a '58-'61 the 348 would be OK but otherwise I'd say no, but that's just me.

Even though I am not a BOWTIE FREAK, I agree wholeheartedly with this gentleman on time period power...