Chevrolet’s W-Series Engine Specifications 1958-1965

Chevrolet’s W-Series V-8 had many unique features, including offset valves, splayed rocker position and combustion chamber in the block rather than in the heads.

The Chevrolet W-Series V-8 Details

The big block V8 Chevrolet engine was called the “W” series. It was released in 1958 for passenger car and truck use. The engine had offset valves which resulted in the unique scalloped rocker covers, giving it a very distinctive appearance. The engine’s offset valves were not designed with any mechanical advantage in mind – it was done to reduce the block’s overall length. This offset valve design did, however, allow the fitment of larger valves without any major redesign or machining. It was a physically massive engine when compared to the Chevrolet small block.

The “W” series was produced from 1958 to 1965, with three displacements offered: 348 CID, offered from 1958-1961 in cars, and through 1964 in trucks; 409 CID, offered from 1961-1965; and 427 CID, available only in 1963 in a special Z11 drag racing package. The “W” big block had a dry weight of approximately 665 pounds, depending on intake manifold and carburetion.

348 CID V-8

1958 Chevrolet 348 CID Engine Specifications
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250 Horsepower Turbo Thrust V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 266°, Exhaust:  274°, Lift: Intake 0.3987″, Exhaust 0.3987″. Overlap 90°. Carburetor: Carter 3744082.

280 Horsepower Super Turbo Thrust V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 280 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 266°, Exhaust:  274°, Lift: Intake 0.3987″, Exhaust 0.3987″. Overlap 90°. Carburetors:  Rochester 2-barrels: (Front) 7011951, (Middle) 7011952, (Rear) 7011953.

315 Horsepower Super Turbo Thrust Special V-8 – Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 315 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 356 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287°, Exhaust:  287°, Lift: Intake 0.4076″, Exhaust 0.4139″. Overlap UNK. Carburetors:  Rochester 2-barrels: (Front) 7011951, (Middle) 7011952, (Rear) 7011953.

1959 Chevrolet 348 CID Engine Specifications
Click the tabs for specific engine information

250 Horsepower Turbo Thrust V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 266°, Exhaust:  274°, Lift: Intake 0.3987″, Exhaust 0.3987″. Overlap 90°. Carburetor: (manual transmission) Carter WCFB 2816 PN 3756677 (automatic transmission) Carter WCFB 2816   P/N 3756677. (with air conditioning) Rochester 4GC  P/N 7013006.

280 Horsepower Super Turbo Thrust V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 280 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 266°, Exhaust:  274°, Lift: Intake 0.4005″, Exhaust 0.4119″. Overlap 44°. Carburetors:  Rochester 2-barrels: (Front) 7013015, (Middle) 7013016, (Rear) 7013017.

305 Horsepower Turbo Thrust Special V-8 with HD Powerglide Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 305 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 350 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287°, Exhaust:  287°, Lift: Intake 0.4076″, Exhaust 0.4139″. Overlap 52°. Carburetor:  Carter AFB 4-barrel 3756678 or Rochester 7013006.

320 Horsepower Turbo Thrust Special V-8 Standard Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 305 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 350 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287°, Exhaust:  287°, Lift: Intake 0.4076″, Exhaust 0.4139″. Overlap 66°. Carburetor:  Carter AFB 4-barrel 3764593.

335 Horsepower Super Turbo Thrust Special V-8 – Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 315 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 356 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287°, Exhaust:  287°, Lift: Intake 0.4076″, Exhaust 0.4139″. Overlap UNK. Carburetors:  Rochester 2-barrels: (Front) 7013973, (Middle) 7013974, (Rear) 7013975.

1960 Chevrolet 348 CID Engine Specifications
Click the tabs for specific engine information

250 Horsepower Turbo Thrust V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 266°, Exhaust:  274°, Lift: Intake 0.4005″, Exhaust 0.4119″. Overlap 44°. Carburetor: (manual transmission) Carter WCFB 3060, PN 3779180, (automatic transmission) Carter WCFB 3061 PN 3779179, (with air conditioning) Rochester 4GC  7013006.

280 Horsepower Super Turbo Thrust V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 280 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 266°, Exhaust:  274°, Lift: Intake 0.4005″, Exhaust 0.4119″. Overlap 44°. Carburetors:  Rochester 2-barrels: (Front) 7013015, (Middle manual trans) 7013020, (Middle auto trans) 7013016, (Rear) 7013017.

305 Horsepower Super Turbo Thrust Special V-8 Automatic Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 305 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 350 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 316°, Exhaust:  319°, Lift: Intake 0.4076″, Exhaust 0.4139″. Overlap 52°. Carburetor:  Carter AFB 3012 PN 3772600.

320 Horsepower Turbo Thrust Special V-8 Manual Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 320 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 358 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 316°, Exhaust:  327°, Lift: Intake 0.4058″, Exhaust 0.4120″. Overlap 66°. Carburetor:  Carter AFB 3012 PN 3772600 plus special high-rise aluminum intake manifold.

335 Horsepower Super Turbo Thrust Special V-8 Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.250 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 335 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 362 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 316°, Exhaust:  327°, Lift: Intake 0.4058″, Exhaust 0.4120″. Overlap 66°. Carburetors:  Rochester 2-barrels: (Front) 7013973, (Middle) 7013974, (Rear) 7013975. Dual breaker ignition standard.

1961 Chevrolet 348 CID Engine Specifications
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Turbo-Thrust V-8. (RPO 576) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 9.5:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 2800RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 266°, Exhaust: 274°, Lift: Intake 0.400″, Exhaust 0.412″. Overlap UNK. Carburetor: (SMT) Carter AFB four barrel 3779180 (AMT) Carter AFB four barrel 3779179 or Rochester 7013006.

Super Turbo-Thrust V-8. (RPO 573A) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 280 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 3200RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetors: Three Rochester two barrel: SMT – 7013015 (front) 7013020 (center) 7013017 (rear); AMT – 7013015 (front) 7013016 (center) 7013017 (rear).

Special Turbo-Thrust V-8. (RPO 572) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 9.5:1. Horsepower: 305 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 3400RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 256°, Exhaust: 262°, Lift: Intake 0.403″, Exhaust 0.412″. Overlap UNK. Carburetor: Carter AFB four barrel number 3772600. NOTE: Aluminum Intake on SMT vehicles.

Special Turbo-Thrust V-8 (High Compression- RPO 590). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 362 @ 3600RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 306°, Exhaust: 312°, Lift: Intake 0.403″, Exhaust 0.412″. Overlap UNK. Carburetor: Carter AFB four barrel number 3772600.

NOTE: Aluminum Intake on SMT vehicles.

Special Super Turbo-Thrust V-8. (RPO 573B) – Manual Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 348 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.125 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 350 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 364 @ 3600RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 316°, Exhaust: 290°, Lift: Intake 0.406″, Exhaust 0.406″. Overlap 80°. Carburetors: Three Rochester two barrel: SMT Only – 7013973 (front) 7013974 (center) 7013975 (rear).

409 CID V-8

1961 Chevrolet 409 CID Engine Specifications
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Turbo Fire 409 V-8. (RPO 580) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 360 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 409 @ 3600RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 345°, Exhaust: 294°, Lift: Intake 0.434″, Exhaust 0.440″. Overlap 85°. Carburetor: Carter AFB model 3270.

1962 Chevrolet 409 CID Engine Specifications
Click the tabs for specific engine information

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO 580). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 380 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 420 @ 3200RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: (includes ramps 50°) Intake: (398°) 348°, Exhaust: (353°) 303°, Lift: Intake 0.4396″, Exhaust 0.4396″. Overlap 85°. Carburetor: Carter AFB model 3345 .

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO 587). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 409 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 420 @ 4000RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: (includes ramps 50°) Intake: (398°) 348°, Exhaust: (353°) 303°, Lift: Intake 0.4396″, Exhaust 0.4396″. Overlap 85°. Carburetors: Carter AFB 3361 (front) 3362 (rear).

NOTE: Late year – HP upped to 425 HP

1963 Chevrolet 409 CID Engine Specifications
Click the tabs for specific engine information

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L33). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 10.00:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 420 @ 3200RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: (includes ramps) Intake: (312°) 266°, Exhaust: (320°) 274°, Lift: Intake 0.4005″, Exhaust 0.4119″. Overlap 90°. Carburetor: Rochester 4-GC AMT 7020024; SMT 7020023.

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L31). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 400 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 3600RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 322°, Exhaust: 320°, Lift: Intake 0.5069″, Exhaust 0.5185″. Overlap 94°. Carburetor: Carter AFB model 3499 .

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO 587). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 425 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 4200RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 322°, Exhaust: 320°, Lift: Intake 0.5069″, Exhaust 0.5185″. Overlap 94°. Carburetors: Carter AFB 3361 (front) 3362 (rear).

1964 Chevrolet 409 CID Engine Specifications
Click the tabs for specific engine information

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L33). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 10.00:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 420 @ 3200RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: (includes ramps) Intake: (312°) 266°, Exhaust: (320°) 274°, Lift: Intake 0.4005″, Exhaust 0.4119″. Overlap 90°. Carburetor: (SMT) Rochester 4GC 7024123; (AMT) Rochester 4GC” 7024124.

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L31). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 400 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 3600RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 322°, Exhaust: 320°, Lift: Intake 0.5069″, Exhaust 0.5185″. Overlap 94°. Carburetor: Carter AFB model #3827324.

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO 587). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 425 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 4200RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 322°, Exhaust: 320°, Lift: Intake 0.5069″, Exhaust 0.5185″. Overlap 94°. Carburetors: Carter AFB 3815403 (front) 3815404 (rear).

1965 Chevrolet 409 CID Engine Specifications
Click the tabs for specific engine information

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L33). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 10.00:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 420 @ 3200RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: (includes ramps) Intake: (312°) 266°, Exhaust: (320°) 274°, Lift: Intake 0.4005″, Exhaust 0.4119″. Overlap 90°. Carburetor: (SMT) Rochester 4GC 7025123; (AMT) Rochester 4GC” 7025124.

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L31). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 400 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 3600RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 322°, Exhaust: 320°, Lift: Intake 0.5069″, Exhaust 0.5185″. Overlap 94°. Carburetor: Carter AFB model #3827324.

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