Olivia's freshly rebuilt 348 engine is finally getting fired up on the run stand. This W engine is destined for her ’56 Chevy, replacing a perfectly good LS. Why? Because different is cool, and this heavy old-school motor just feels right for a street gasser build.

The W Engine

The W engine came from a 1958 Impala and is one of the strangest she’s ever dealt with—flat cylinder heads, combustion chamber in the block, and giant pistons. Despite being labeled a “boat anchor” by some, it's full of character and torque.

The Edelbrock Performer intake manifold raised questions since it typically doesn’t fit 348 cylinder heads. Olivia suspected they might be 409 heads, but a quick valve cover removal confirmed they're 1958–60 348 heads.

TKX Transmission

Before firing the engine, Olivia reveals her TKX 5-speed transmission. Originally leaning toward a 4-speed, she opted for the TKX for its overdrive (0.68 5th gear) and 2.87 first gear—ideal for aggressive gearing like 3.73s with freeway comfort.

The TKX transmission is a a great option because in most cases it fits without requiring any modifications to the factory tunnel. She opted for a complete TKX swap kit, which came with a lightweight Mcleod bellhousing, Ram clutch, and a hefty 40 lb flywheel. It’s Olivia's first manual build, and she couldn't be more excited.

348 Engine's First Start Up

Olivia prepped the engine with a makeshift dipstick and carefully installed the distributor. After manually setting the timing, the 348 engine fired up almost instantly. With 43 PSI of oil pressure, a few backfires, and some expected valvetrain noise, the engine sounded solid.

She later removed the valve covers to inspect the rocker studs. Everything looked fine, but Olivia knows that if she decides on a performance cam, she’ll need to upgrade those press-in studs to avoid future issues.

With the 348 engine running and the TKX transmission ready for install, Olivia’s gasser project is making good progress. Although there’s more to do—cooling, fuel system tweaks, and beyond—getting the engine started marks a major milestone.