The first big - stoppage Chevy V-8 was introduced in 1958 as an optional choice to the small - block railway locomotive . It was not touch in any way to its classic predecessor , being new from the ground up . Neither has it been regarded as one of the high spot in Chevy engine history . Although full in its way , it was simply outclassed by the " fuelie"283before it and by the 409 which took over at the head of the line for 1962 . But the 348 was the largest and most powerfulChevroletengine you could buy in 1958 - 61 , and deserves at least a abbreviated cite .
As the 265/283 was first known as " Turbo - Fire , " the 348 was dubbed " Turbo - Thrust , " but the factory knew it better as the " type W. " This designation stemmed from the characteristic shape on the outside edge of the rock ‘n’ roll musician covers , something that was much less unique as we moved into the LX . The " W " was intended for the raw generation of a much enceinte and heavy Chevrolets born in 1958 that blossomed into the full - burn out 119 - inch - wheelbase cabin cruiser of 1959 .
With a bore and a stroke of 4.125 x 3.25 column inch and 9.5:1 compression ratio , the 348 prepare 250 bhp at 4000 rpm and 355 Lebanese pound - metrical foot of torque at 2800 revolutions per minute . Combustion chambers were cylindric wedge form by matt - bottom heads that rested against the block face at a 16 degree angle . The form - aluminum pistons were machine with 16 - degree dual - sloping upper surfaces . Hydraulicvalve lifters were used , as they were in the belittled - block V-8s ( exceptfuel injectedunits ) . " Because of the deficiency of confinement to passage of the fuel / air mixture in the heads and because half of the piston is close to the head than the other half , turbulence is howling and volumetrical efficiency should be excellent , " observe Motor Trend . The " W " issue forth standard with dual exhausts and four - barrelcarburetor , but was not offer with fuel shot - something Chevy had had problem with , and was generally encouraging only for corvette .
The 348 ’s high degree of development appeared for 1960 - two four - barrel carburetors good for a denounce 355horsepower . It keep in this word form for the 1961 model year before disappearing in favor of the 409 .
The 348 should be remember not as a mighty powerhouse , but as a placid and honest braggy - block for the newfangled , largerImpala . Its 10 - second 0 - 60 miles per hour capability was about the average for 1958 - barely the kick - in - the - back acceleration provided by the FI or dual - quad 283s . Significantly , Chevrolet offered very little record hop - up equipment for the " W " for the simple reason that it never was really intended as a high - performance grinder . In 1958 , of path , Chevrolet was outwardly brook by the Automobile Manufacturers Association ( AMA ) decision to " monish " ( or at least not advertize ) racing , and the 348 fit mightily in with the Division ’s public attitude . Performance enthusiasts would have to be contented with the hotter reading of the 283 through 1961 . mirthfully , these power some of the most memorable of the " performance " Chevys .
