How to Rebuild & Modify Chevy 348/409 Engines

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.

Introduction

 
Chapter 1: Development and Design 
History 
Internal Specifics 

Chapter 2: Engine Block 
Block Identification 
Washing and Magnafluxing
What to Check on W Blocks 
Inspection Process 
Block Preparation 
Oiling System 
Aftermarket Manufacturers

 
Chapter 3: Crankshafts, Rods and Pistons 
Crankshafts 
Connecting Rods 
Pistons 
Machining 

Chapter 4: Cylinder Heads 
Design Features 
348 and 409 Differences 
Machining 
Head Selection 
Stock Head Modifications 
Aftermarket Head Manufacturers 

Chapter 5: Camshafts and Valvetrain 
Stock Cam Timing Specs 
Flat-Tappet Camshafts 
Roller Camshafts 
Lifters 
Cam Selection8
Aftermarket Manufacturers 
Pushrods 
Rocker Arms 
Valves 
Valvesprings, Retainers and Locks 
Timing Chain Set 

Chapter 6: Induction and Ignition 
Intake Manifolds 
Carburetors 
Ignition 

Chapter 7: Headers and Exhaust 
Header Development 
Exhaust Design 

Chapter 8: Cooling System 
Design Factors 
Cooling Capacity 
Radiators 
Water Pump 
Fans 
Airflow 

Chapter 9: Stroker Engines 
Stroker Math 
Clearancing 
Cam and Head Selection 
Four-Bolt Main Bearing Conversion 
Stroker Kits 
Popular Combinations 

Chapter 10: Teardown and Inspection 
Removal 
Inspection 
Cleaning 
Testing 
Measuring Parts 

Chapter 11: Engine Assembly 
Proper Lubrication 
Subassemblies 
Block 
Valves and Hardware 
Cam Bearing Installation 
Main Bearings 
Crankshaft 
Camshaft 
Pistons 
Degree the Camshaft 
Front Dampener 
Oil Pump, Windage Tray and Oil Pan 
Cylinder Head 
Intake and Ignition 

Source Guide 

• Buy the eBook from Amazon Kindle
• Buy the eBook from Barnes & Noble
• Buy the eBook from Google