#Big blockblock series

No satisfactory explanation was ever offered for why this change was made, but it did provide a reliable means of distinguishing a 348 from the larger engines.Īs with the 265 and 283 cu in (4.3 and 4.6 L) 'Small Block' engines, the W-series valve gear consisted of tubular steel pushrods operating stud-mounted, stamped-steel rocker arms. Heads used on the high performance 409 and 427 engines had larger ports and valves than those used on the 348 and the base 409 passenger car and truck engines, but externally were identical to the standard units - but for the location of the engine oil dipstick, on the driver's side on the 348 and the passenger's on the 409/427. The engine block had 4.84-inch (123 mm) bore centers, two-bolt main bearing caps, a 'side oiling' lubrication system (the main oil gallery located low on the driver's side of the crankcase), with full-flow oil filter, and interchangeable cylinder heads. The W-series engine was made of cast iron.

348 cu in (5.7 L), available from 1958 to 1961 in cars, and in light trucks through 1964.

The W-series was produced from 1958 to 1965, and had three displacement options: This engine had an overhead valve design with offset valves and uniquely scalloped rocker covers, giving it a distinctive appearance. Chevrolet designed this engine for use in passenger cars and light trucks. The first version of the 'Big Block' V8 Chevrolet engine, known as the W-series, was introduced in 1958.

The big block, which debuted in 1958 at 348 cu in (5.7 L), was built in standard displacements up to 494 cu in (8.1 L), with aftermarket crate engines sold by Chevrolet exceeding 500 cu in (8.2 L).

#Big blockblock series

The Chevrolet 'big block' engine is a term for a series of large-displacement, naturally-aspirated, 90°, overhead valve, gasoline-powered, V-8 engines that were developed and produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors, from the 1950s until present.Ĭhevrolet had introduced its popular small block V8 in 1955, but needed something larger to power its medium duty trucks and the heavier cars that were on the drawing board.