Thread: Found a 58' 348 on family property, what do I do?

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Hello all,

Brand new to this site and I’m a non mechanic, my specialty is woodwork.

While going through family property I came across an engine I’ve seen sitting in a corner for years. Before giving it away to a salvage guy I started wiping it down to find IDs etc. and it’s old and rusty
I believe it’s a 58’ 348 and it has a transmission attached (Turboglide) a Rochester 4 jet carburetor on top

I’m debating trying to sell it
but.......I feel like putting it on an stand and gradually(again non mechanic) taking it apart with the proper research and guidance and breaking it down myself. Clean it up and possibly rebuild it for myself. Using patience and taking my time. I would like the experience more than the money. Any suggestions?

#s 3755011 and I 3 58


348 Powerglide.jpg348 2.jpg348 1.jpg

that's a turboglide which is a 3 spd automatic & the motor is a 1958 to a 1961 348
this page will tell you about it 348/409 Engine Block Casting Numbers/Information
And this page is what came up when I ran the number you posted Block casting numbers - 348-409.com

Much appreciated,
and you are right I'll change Power to turbo, I'm looking at the pic and still typed it wrong. It's late.

Welcome to the forum. I'll give you my thoughts, and others can chime in with theirs. The 348/409 is one of the coolest looking engines from that time, with the unique rocker covers, and thundering exhaust note. In '58 Chevy was scrambling to respond to Ford's continuing growth of their Y-blocks, which went from 292 to 312 to 332, and it had been leaked that it would be 352 in the new model year. Short on time Chevy grabbed the 348 from their truck line, cast a 4-barrel intake for it and dropped them into the full size car line. They have some unique design features, one being the wedge shaped combustion chamber, and you won't find nearly as many after market parts for them as for the small blocks, and it's not easy to build an efficient, good mileage engine with a 348/409. They were raw power plants.

Right now you have something that would be of value to someone looking for a time period numbers matching restoration. Once you take it apart, you're going to find that it's a money pit. Since you've been honest and told us that you're a woodworker who has an interest in the engine, the best advice I can give is for you to advertise it in Hemmings, and sell it as-is. If you can get it running without tearing it down, just to prove it runs, you might consider that but given your experience level, I'd leave it alone.

One of the guys here, 53 Chevy5, had a beautiful 348 in his pickup, and after a few months chasing overheating issues and stopping at every gas station on the highway, pulled it and replaced it with a LS engine & tranny. He just recently sold the 348, and maybe he will offer you his advice. Best of luck.

What Roger said with some addition. The "wedge" combustion chamber was further unique in that it was not formed in the cylinder head as per most engines, it was formed above the piston in the cylinder itself. Imposed some additional performance mod restrictions. These appeal to a fairly narrow market for all the reasons noted, so don't expect a long line of interested folks. You can research on places like ebay and craigslist for what market price is, though on c/l you only see asking......but if the ad gets old it's too high. My guess would be $1-200 range if there's no scary sign to the engine. As for the trans, it was on the market for about 3 years and earned the none too complimentary slogan "slip and slide with turboglide". Do you have a boat that needs a small anchor?

Wow, that is an awesome piece of automotive history you have there. Thank you for not giving it to a salvage guy.

I would agree with Rspears on this. Sell that engine to someone who knows and appreciates what it is.

Get yourself a cheap and common engine to start honing your engine building skills. I honestly recommend starting with a lawnmower or go cart engine. They are simple and cheap and you will learn a ton. Work your way up from there.




EDIT. I was typing at the same time Bob was. I did not realize how bad those engines were. I guess that explains why they are so rarely seen today!

Welcome to the forum. I will chime in with the same thoughts as the others. It is a unique motor with a niche market that looks great in an open wheeled car with no hood. The 348 I had was a truck engine and are more common and less desirable because of a few internal differences and people like numbers correct stuff doing a resto. If you don't have any intention of using it yourself I would sell it and pocket the money.I would guess Roger is real close on the $1000 range, maybe a bit more. If you do sell it, the original distributor and carb are high selling points. The dist. is unique to the 348/409 family and the reproduction ones aren't that great. If you want a motor to learn on the 348 will be an expensive one to start with and the way the block is designed, it's different than most every other motor out there anyway for installing the pistons. I would estimate you would tie up 3k in parts and machine work pretty fast.I recently sold mine and I'll tell you it's a bugger to try to sell a rebuilt engine, people don't trust you. I would agree with Driver50x on finding something cheap to learn on, I know I had to redo my first engine twice

Thank you Gentlemen

I believe I will heed that advice. I have a turkey trot and a few other events here in the Central FL area as well as craigslist/ebay.

I just spoke with my 8 year old about building a go cart together, I think that will be fun.

Thank you for the responses!

Don't overlook Hemmings ( https://www.hemmings.com/ ) for advertising your engine & tranny. It's the true restorer's Bible, and the first place people wanting year correct numbers matching parts will look, ahead of evilBay and CL. Also consider jumping on some of the Chevy specific forums.

Racingjunk.com

Welcome to CHR. The guys got you fixed up pretty fast.