I have a 250 six cylinder engine. I am thinking about using it as a temporary engine. The engine came out of a one owner truck (66 Chevrolet) that showed 59,000 miles based on the condition of the truck I think that could be actual mileage. I'm not trying to hot rod the 6 cylinder but just make some changes to increase reliability and maybe a little better mileage or little more power, if possible. I will probably use this as a run around town vehicle and maybe drive to a couple of shows. Untill I can get my other engine finished. It's only showing about 20 lbs oil pressure at hot idle. Is that normal oil pressure or at least adequate? The carb is going to need to be rebuilt or replaced. Is there something better than stock or is that my best bet. I know I can up date the ignition to a later model HEI or electronic but what other bolt on stuff is available? Anybody make intakes and headers or would my best bet just be to clean up and use what is there. Thanks for your help!!
Oil pressure at idle is more than enough at 20#, 10# would be fine. Keep the stock equipment in tune and let the 250 take care of ya until it's time for a change. Put a stock HEI on it if you see the need, the stock points distributor is fine too. You can't increase reliability by changing anything on those engines, they are about as reilable as you could ever ask for the way they came straight from the factory.
That's kinda what I figured. I know a friend of mine had one in a truck when we where in high school and we drove the **** out that thing and never really had any problems. It's going to be a while before my other engine is finshed. My plans were to give this one a good clean up, replace some gaskets and seals and use it for a while. I will most likely keep the engine and use it again somewhere down the road so I don't mind spending a little money on it. Just thought there might be some better bolt on stuff than stock.
i put one in my 50 and wouldnt have had anything else! I put the HEI and an intake with a Holley 2brl. and it screamed!
been driving my kid's 70 camaro for the past couple years, it has the original untouched 250 in it, we did a carb kit and tune up and whatnot, probably didn't spend $100 on parts, runs great, gives 18-20 mpg in rural driving. Changing anything on it would probably be a waste of effort and $$$, but it is a good learning experience if that's what you're after.
That's what I figured but I'm going to have to rebuild or replace the carb so I thought there might be some room for improvement in that area. Anybody make any dress up items for them? Aluminum valve cover or side cover? I find all kind of stuff for 216 and 235 but I'm not seeing much in the way of 250 stuff. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places? Anybody have any links? I don't want to get crazy but like I said I'll probably keep the engine even after it's replaced so might as well spiff it up a little. Thanks for the replys
You can probably find cheap chrome dress up stuff if you look around...there seem to be some cheap valve and side covers on epay also this 190109325948
Stovebolt engine Company sells remanned progressive Holley 2BBls for about$65 each if you'd want to do a doubble on the 250, or a tripple on a 350.... They came off of Pintos I think.. I've had a 2 -2bbl, cammed (PAW), and headered 250 in a T bucket that'd run off from the SBC hotrods at the Burger Barn. Course --anything in a bucket will whoop***.. Good- Just for fun stuff if ya got it layin around and like the look.. As far as bang for the buck performance though, they don't really get much. Did have an old dirt track alky burner 250 runnin for a while --over boared 80, with 283 forged popups and a head shaved 160, with SBC valves and springs with the intake ports cut on, and a hellasicious cam.. Wild thing -- couldn't hardly get it on a trailer.... Lost the crank right off, and its out in the woods now..Hell--Its all Good..PA
My Model A Sedan runs a 120,000 mile 250--I`ve driven it to Bonneville the last three years and can`t kill it. Gets almost 20 mpg, but is a slug with the 2.75 gear...Motor is dead stock--I have an Offy Dual Carb manifold for it and am ordering a H.e.i from Langdons this week.....
For about a 100 buck i put a petronix ignitor system with a flame thrower coil on my 250 and man does it make a difference in starting and everything. I would reccommend it to anyone.
Offenhauser made a nice finned valve cover for the 230-250-292 Chev Straight 6 engine. Not sure if they still will make one. They do show up on ebay. I think new chromed steel ones are regularly for sale on ebay. Hedman used to make headers for the 250 in a pickup truck. It is actually 2 headers, one for the front 3 cylinders and one for the back three. Not sure if they are still being produced. Once again, keep checking ebay.
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