"W" Big Block Disadvantages

Stay With 396 Series

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W_: I recently came across an engine in my grandfather's shop. From the appearance of the heads (a sort of "M"shape) I'm inclined to think that it's a w-motor, possibly a 348 or 409. It came out of a mid-to-late fifties truck. However, I'm unsure where to locate the identification numbers. Is it also possible that there was some strange derivation of the W-motors, like a 366 or something? I would like to rebuild it to put it in my '72 Malibu but I'm not even sure what it is.

S_: Don't bother putting the W in your car. If the engine is from a '50s truck, it is a 348. No 409's until 1961. Most machine shops cannot bore these engines because of the slanted deck. The adapter plates were scrapped or damaged years ago. Parts are getting hard to find, and expensive. They weren't that good to begin with. The original plan was to offer them in a 307 inch version-which never saw production because the 283 made as much power. The only strange derivation of the W was the limited production 1963 Z-11 427. The 366 is a variant of the Mk IV big block. It was used only in medium duty trucks (two ton grain trucks, for instance) and has a higher deck to accommodate four ring pistons. The W is heavy and obsolete. You'd be better off stuffing in the usual 350. More power, much cheaper and fewer headaches.

BT: Find someone with a 50's or early 60's car or truck who needs this motor and sell it to him for all you can get. Put the cash toward a 396 or a 350 and enjoy.

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Archivist: Tom Wilson


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