Wrenching on a 348 vs. a 60s Corvette

Changing the spark plugs between the two is remarkably similar. Changing the clutch is easier on the 348. Changing the tranny fluid is easier on the 348.

Good luck maintaining an old Chevy carb (or worse, early fuelie system!). No O2 sensors on the old Chevy, though (for whatever that's worth).

 

You know... I had a 65 conv with powerglide and to be honest....they're about the same! Was no problem for me moving to the 348. Pull those heat shields outa there and voila! Tons of room! You will be surpised how relatively easy it is to work on them. No worries mate - you would be fine.

 

I had a '65 corvette long before my 348. The difference is any mechanic can wrench on a chevy. Even though my '65 had the original 350 hp motor it had a '69 camaro trany. No way can you ever do that with a 348.

 

Well let's see.

The last big job I did was helping a fellow Ferrari owner drop the engine out of his Modial T, which has pretty much the same settup as a 348. But before that I pulled the head off of my Acura Intgera, and put in a new head gasket. After doing that job I can say that it is easier to work on my 348. The Integra has NO flippin room to work with.

All you have to do is get over the fear of the name. Lefty loosey, righty tighty, the nuts and bolts don't know what there are on.

 

Biggest difference is if something breaks while your wrenching you can go to Pep Boys and get parts on the vette for lunch money.

 

The difference is quantum!
Example: Replace a waterpump in an old Vette. Fast, easy and cheap. Replace a waterpump in a 348!
Vette parts are cheap and readily available.
Baring main bearing replacement everything can be done with motor in car.
A major in an old Vette requires air filter, oil change, plugs, points and condenser. Remember those???
A major in a 348 is a bit more involved!
Just a few examples. Base my opinion on my own personal experience. Restored a ’59 roadster and a ’64 Vette coupe (should have kept that car!). Have done a complete major and all repairs on my current 348 spider.
All that said the 348 is an absolute pleasure to work on!

 

Perhaps it's a labor of love. I would shoot myself having to work on an old Vette. 348? Let me at her!

 

Ernie pretty much summed it up for you. They are easier to work on than current models. There is really nothing a shade tree mechanic cannot do with the proper tools. (I am excluding engine management controls and scanners/multi-tools at the moment) Sure, parts are rare and expensive. The technology is old, Scott

 

Owned a 65 fuelie at one time and a 348 at another time. Night and day difference. If you are mechanically inclined either one is uncomplicated, if you are not then assembling your kids tricycle is tuff. The big difference is the 60's corvettes are standard measurement not metric, ie; 2 sets of tools needed, Regards, Vern