348 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**hogfarm** · 03-18-2018, 07:01 AM

I never hear about the 348 anymore.My first 58 chevy short bed fleet had a 348 and 4 speed transmission,back about 1980.I put a 1972 cheville front clip in it (took two days) and built a rack to haul my 12' boat,also pulled travel trailer.My wife and I took that old truck on a lot of adventures

AZ59apacheguy · 03-18-2018, 11:08 AM

That's my dream motor. All you ever see at shows are 350's and LS motors, a 348, now were talking!

**Dan in Pasadena** · 03-18-2018, 01:04 PM

I put an LS in my ‘55 but would have LOVED to put a 348/409 in my truck if they were findable and affordable. They've become so expensive now!

My dad’s ‘59 Fleetside longbed was originally a 235. I was a little guy but I “helped” him put a 283 in it and later a 348. Was VERY fast for those days - early/mid ‘60’s.

Ziegelsteinfaust · 03-18-2018, 01:25 PM

I love them, and had a 348 for awhile. They just we're, and are expensive. SBC's can be built with pocket change comparatively.

The other things is they just don't mpg, Ford's FE line is the same. Since they are built more like big blocks then small blocks. So you essentially get 454 mpg with 350 cubes.

When I had my 348 I added some of the good factory parts I could get my hands on along with what I remember being a Isky large street cam. At least for a flat tappet at the time. I put it in a 62 C20 I converted to C10. While a good performer it would get 12-14 with 3.23 gears. For comparison my friends 350 built to 71 350 LT1 specs with a few choice details would flat outrun me, and get slightly better mpg with 4.11 gears.

Also with they only had a small run of years they are going to be odd man out. The cool thing is they have alot of new parts coming out last I heard.

Mac the Yankee · 03-18-2018, 07:09 PM

I have a 348 for the panel truck that will need to be rebuilt, but the goal is to use it with an NP833 iron case transmission

**hogfarm** · 03-19-2018, 06:02 AM

yes they are expensive.my friend rebuilt his in the early 80's ,a set of pistons cost $1200.00

_Ogre · 03-19-2018, 01:19 PM

i thought 348 was a pontiac motor used in the gmc trucks???

Speedbumpauto · 03-19-2018, 01:23 PM

I think that was a 347, but hey, what's one cubic inch among friends.

**hogfarm** · 03-20-2018, 06:58 AM

the 348/409 were chevy's first big block

Russell Ashley · 03-20-2018, 10:29 PM

Lamar Walden Automotive sells reproductions in 409 and 509 C.I. sizes but they aren't cheap. I believe they start at about $25K.

Red Foreman · 03-21-2018, 02:46 AM

I have 348 Tripower in my 56 GMC, runs nice heaps of torque!

MARTINSR · 03-21-2018, 11:46 AM

Oh HELL YEAH, the W motor is a reason to leave the hood open at a show!

Brian

Hampshire · 03-23-2018, 09:29 PM

...my first 348 was in a 59 Bubble top. I was very young then.

This rig was at a huge hot rod show (no older than 1974) in Gill MA on 9/2015. Lots of nice rides there.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1521854504

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1521854600

67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=1766818&stc=1&d=1521854671

03-18-2018, 07:01 AM	#1
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 592	348 I never hear about the 348 anymore.My first 58 chevy short bed fleet had a 348 and 4 speed transmission,back about 1980.I put a 1972 cheville front clip in it (took two days) and built a rack to haul my 12' boat,also pulled travel trailer.My wife and I took that old truck on a lot of adventures

03-18-2018, 11:08 AM	#2
AZ59apacheguy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South West Posts: 431	Re: 348 That's my dream motor. All you ever see at shows are 350's and LS motors, a 348, now were talking!

03-18-2018, 01:04 PM	#3
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,341	Re: 348 I put an LS in my ‘55 but would have LOVED to put a 348/409 in my truck if they were findable and affordable. They've become so expensive now! My dad’s ‘59 Fleetside longbed was originally a 235. I was a little guy but I “helped” him put a 283 in it and later a 348. Was VERY fast for those days - early/mid ‘60’s. __________________ '55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda!

03-18-2018, 01:25 PM	#4
Ziegelsteinfaust Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Temple City Posts: 3,628	Re: 348 I love them, and had a 348 for awhile. They just we're, and are expensive. SBC's can be built with pocket change comparatively. The other things is they just don't mpg, Ford's FE line is the same. Since they are built more like big blocks then small blocks. So you essentially get 454 mpg with 350 cubes. When I had my 348 I added some of the good factory parts I could get my hands on along with what I remember being a Isky large street cam. At least for a flat tappet at the time. I put it in a 62 C20 I converted to C10. While a good performer it would get 12-14 with 3.23 gears. For comparison my friends 350 built to 71 350 LT1 specs with a few choice details would flat outrun me, and get slightly better mpg with 4.11 gears. Also with they only had a small run of years they are going to be odd man out. The cool thing is they have alot of new parts coming out last I heard.

03-18-2018, 07:09 PM	#5
Mac the Yankee Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Winder, GA Posts: 274	Re: 348 I have a 348 for the panel truck that will need to be rebuilt, but the goal is to use it with an NP833 iron case transmission

03-19-2018, 06:02 AM	#6
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 592	Re: 348 yes they are expensive.my friend rebuilt his in the early 80's ,a set of pistons cost $1200.00

03-19-2018, 01:19 PM	#7
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: 348 i thought 348 was a pontiac motor used in the gmc trucks??? __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

03-19-2018, 01:23 PM	#8
Speedbumpauto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 917	Re: 348 I think that was a 347, but hey, what's one cubic inch among friends.

03-20-2018, 06:58 AM	#9
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 592	Re: 348 the 348/409 were chevy's first big block Attached Images

03-20-2018, 10:29 PM	#10
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	Re: 348 Lamar Walden Automotive sells reproductions in 409 and 509 C.I. sizes but they aren't cheap. I believe they start at about $25K.

03-21-2018, 02:46 AM	#11
Red Foreman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 549	Re: 348 I have 348 Tripower in my 56 GMC, runs nice heaps of torque! Attached Images __________________ RIP John (Lambis), my beloved Father & best Friend. My Build 56 GMC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486721

03-21-2018, 11:46 AM	#12
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: 348 Oh HELL YEAH, the W motor is a reason to leave the hood open at a show! Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

03-23-2018, 09:29 PM	#13
Hampshire Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Western MA Posts: 281	Re: 348 ...my first 348 was in a 59 Bubble top. I was very young then. This rig was at a huge hot rod show (no older than 1974) in Gill MA on 9/2015. Lots of nice rides there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1521854504 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1521854600 67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=1766818&stc=1&d=1521854671 Attached Images __________________ Pics of Finished 49 AD: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...7686536275403/ Pics of build process: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103194...57684031425944



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