Small Block

[MojoBodies]

Originally Posted by rberns

You know what an upside down W is called??? M

[Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Sir Nuke

yep.....it was called a W block code.....only two engines built with that specific configuration was the 348 and the 409. it was very obvious when you looked at them as the valve covers looked like upside down W's

Attachment 716232

Thanks, now I remember...

[ChrisBlair]

348 was a "Wide Block", 1st Generation big block.

Only Chevy actually made a "Big Block". Even back in the day. Today there's an assumption that anything over such-and-such displacement is a "big block". Cadillac for instance...500 cubic inches. Not a big block.

Buick/Oldsmobile/Pontiac 455 engines...none of them big blocks. None of them even the same block as each other, either.

The thing we classically think of when we think 'big block' would be the Chevy Mark IV "Turbo Jet V8" engines: rat motors like the 396, 402 ,427, and 454. But the big change from the W series was the design of the combustion chambers and a cylinder head at a 90* angle to the deck.

[Kawirocket674]

Originally Posted by SSeniorMoment

Kinda like the difference between a mouse and a rat.

I got it!

[Norm Peterson]

The "W" engines were also short-stroke designs, 4.125 x 3.25 for the 348, sort of like putting a 327 crank in a 400 in SBC-speak.

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

The thing we classically think of when we think 'big block' would be the Chevy Mark IV "Turbo Jet V8" engines: rat motors like the 396, 402 ,427, and 454. But the big change from the W series was the design of the combustion chambers and a cylinder head at a 90* angle to the deck.

This, indeed.

The combustion chambers for the "W" engines were not even in the heads.



(they were in the block)


Norm

[Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

The "W" engines were also short-stroke designs, 4.125 x 3.25 for the 348, sort of like putting a 327 crank in a 400 in SBC-speak.


This, indeed.

The combustion chambers for the "W" engines were not even in the heads.



(they were in the block)


Norm

That I did not know. I've never worked on one. I'm going to do some research on them just for knowledge...

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk

[Firefighter]

I found this Hot Rod article... http://hotrodenginetech.com/chevrole...mystery-motor/. It's about the "Mystery Motor" which has W motor roots...

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk

[Firefighter]

Here's some W motor info... http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...409-w-engines/

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

The "W" engines were also short-stroke designs, 4.125 x 3.25 for the 348, sort of like putting a 327 crank in a 400 in SBC-speak.


This, indeed.

The combustion chambers for the "W" engines were not even in the heads.



(they were in the block)


Norm

She's mighty fine, that 409....but not so easy to hotrod