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ENGINE SPECS

1959 Chevrolet 348 V8 Engine Specs

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model Designation: Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala and Station Wagons (all engines available)
Wheel base: 119
Valve Location: In head
Bore and Stroke: 4.125 x 3.25
Piston displacement, Cubic Inches: 348
Compression ratio: 9.50
Maximum Brake Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM
Maximum Torque Lbs.Ft. @ RPM: 355 @ 2800 RPM
Normal Oil Pressure Pounds: 35

TUNE UP SPECIFICATIONS (all models)

Spark Plug Make: AC 44N
Spark Plug Gap, Inch: .035
Firing Order: 18436572 (front to rear left bank: 1-3-5-7, right bank: 2-4-6-8)
Timing Mark: 4 degrees BTDC; Location: Damper
Engine Idle Speed, RPM:  425
Compression Pressure & Cranking Speed: 160 min.
Voltage & Polarity: 12 volts, negative ground

PISTON AND RING SPECIFICATIONS

Fitting Pistons with Scale: Pistons removed from above. Shim thickness: .0015
Pounds on a Pull Scale: 7-18
Ring End Gap: In tapered bores, fit rings in tightest portion of ring travel
Compression: .015
Oil: .015
Wristpin Diameter, Inch: .9896

VALVE SPECIFICATIONS

Operating Clearance:
Intake: 0 Exhaust: 0
Valve Seat Angle, degrees: 46
Valve Timing: (BTDC = before top dead center; ATDC = after top dead center)
         Intake opens: 18-1/2 BTDC  Exhaust Closes: 25-1/2 ATDC
Valve Spring Pressure Pounds at Inches Length:
    Inner Spring: 184 @ 1.23
Valve Lift Zero Lash: Intake: .3987 Exhaust: .3987
Stem Diameter: Intake: .3715-.3722 Exhaust: .3410-.3417
Valve Stem Clearance: Intake: .001-.0027; Exhaust: .0025-.0042

ENGINE BEARING SPECIFICATIONS

Connecting Rod Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.199-2.200
    Bearing Clearance, Inch: .0007-.0027

Main Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.4980-2.4990
    Bearing clearance: .0006-.0032
    Shaft End Play: .003-.007    (Thrust on Bearing 5)

Engine Tightening Specs (ft./lbs.)
Spark Plugs: 25
Cylinder Head Bolts: 60-70
Intake Manifold: 25-35
Exhaust Manifold: Center clamp bolts 25-30; end clamp bolts: 15-20
Rocker Arm Shaft Bracket: none
Rocker Arm Covers: 25 (inch/lbs)
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 35-45
Main Bearing Cap Bolts: 95-105
Flywheel to Crankshaft: 55-65
Vibration Damper or Pulley: Pressed on

CAPACITY DATA

Cooling System:
    Without heater: 21 quarts
    With heater: 22 quarts
Fuel Tank: 20 gallons; Station Wagon 17 gallons
Engine Oil: 4 quarts + 1 quart for filter change
Transmission: Standard: 2 pints; w/overdrive: 3 pints; Automatic: 3-1/2 quarts
Rear Axle: 4 pints
DISTRIBUTOR SPECIFICATIONS
Distributor part number: 1110948, 1110914, 1110915 (distributor rotates counter-clockwise)
Cam Angle, degrees: 30; 1110914: adjust cam angle of each breaker separately to 28-30 deg giving a point opening of .014-.108. Cam angle for both breakers should be 33-35 degrees.
Breaker Point opening, Inch: Turn adjusting screw in (clockwise) until engine misfires. Then turn screw 1/2 turn in opposite direction.
Condenser Capacity: .18-.23 Mfds.
Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 19-23 Oz.

Centrifugal Advance: (degrees at RPM of distributor)
    Advance starts: 1110948: 1 @ 425 RPM; 1110914: 1 @ 600 RPM; 1110915: 1-1/2 @ 400 RPM
    Full Advance: 1110948: 12 @ 2300 RPM; 1110914: 11 @ 3000 RPM; 1110915: 14 @ 1850 RPM

    Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger Movement: 7-9; 1110914: 3-3/4 - 5-3/4
    Inches of Vacuum for Full Plunger Movement: 15 - 16; 1110914: 10-1/2 - 12-1/2
    Maximum Vacuum Advance Dist., Degrees: 7-1/2; 1110914: 8-1/4 - 10-1/4

GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS
Generator Number: 1102097; 1102114 (w air. cond.); 1102115 (w pwr steer.) (generator rotates clockwise, 12 volts, Negative Ground)

Generator output:
    1102097: 30 amps @ 2240 RPM;
    1102114: 35 amps @ 2630 RPM;
    1102115: 35 amps @ 2630 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 28 oz.
REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS
Regulator Number: 1119001, 1119002
Cutout Relay:
    Voltage to close points: 12.6
    Armature Air Gap: .020
Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.3 volts
Current and Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075 inches
Current Regulator Setting: 30 amps
STARTING MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS
Part number: 1107688; 1107687, 1107712 (rotates clockwise)
Bush Spring Tension, Ounces: 35
No Load Test: 65-100 amps, 10.6 volts @ 3600-5100 RPM; 1107712: 80-120 amps 10.6 volts @ 4700-5400 RPM
Torque Test: 300-360 Amps, 3.5 volts; 10-1/2 ft.lbs torque; 1107712: 390-370 amps, 2.00 volts

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Caster, Degrees
    Limits: -1/2 to +1-1/2
    Desired: 0
Camber, Degrees
    Limits: 0 to +1
    Desired: +1/2
Toe-In, Inches: 1/16 to 1/8
Toe-Out on Turns, Degrees: (If toe-out is incorrect, when other adjustments are correct, look for bent steering arms.)
    Outer wheel: 17 degrees 54'
    Inner Wheel: 20
Steering Axis Degrees: (If spindle support angle is incorrect, but camber is correct, look for bent suspension arms or steering knuckle support)
    7 degrees 11'

·  Understanding Second Chance Garage's Vintage Auto Engine Specs





 

 

 

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