INLINE SIX GUYS!! Need some help... Cylinder Heads?

So I've got this 66 chevy van that I'm putting together.... and I've got a couple questions. I've never had one of these before.

I dont know if it's a 230 or a 250, or if it's original. According to the casting number, 3921968 it's a 230/250... It doesn't specify which. Are there any ways to tell other than measuring the bore and stroke?

Also, I've got a cracked head. The casting number on the top of the head by the valves is 3872710, which I can't find so save my life. Are the heads pretty interchangable or are the specific to certain years. It's wierd to not be able to find it referanced anywhere.


Thanks alot in advance.

 

Hi Jonny-

My gut says this would be a 250.

As for the head, the 194-230-250-292 non-integral manifold heads are interchangeable, although the 194 heads have a smaller combustion chamber so you'd get a bit of a compression bump. I've got a couple of stock heads around my place I could sell you...PM me if you're interested.

 

According to Leo Santucci's "Chevy Inline-Six Power Manual" your head numbers show a '63-'65 230ci and your block numbers show either a '66-'70 230ci or a '62-'69 250. The 230 and 250 have the same bore, just a different stroke (3.250" for the 230 and 3.530" for the 250). So your block is a 230 or 250, but the head is from a 230.

The heads are interchangeable between the 194, 230, 250, and 292. The 194 head will bump up your compression some though. In the 70s these motors started coming with and integral intake manifold, where the head and intake manifold are all cast together, so any of the older non-integral heads will work for you.

 

When you get the head pulled off,If the piston is dished then you have a 250. If it is not dished then you have a 230. All The heads with fit.and the integral head started in 75

 

AWESOME. Thanks alot guys. Looks like I have a 250. Now I just need to get a new head.

 

Damn dawg.......lets see some pics.....i love old chevy vans!

 

Find yourself a # 3864883 head off of a 194 cid six. This is the 194 head with the SMALLEST combustion chamber. Have it milled .060 when you have the valves done. On a stock pistoned 250 this head will bring the compession ratio to 10:1. Use an HEI distributor; the stock points distributors baseplate is held down by a spring, too much motion there for accurate timing throughout the RPM ranges. Headers, intake, larger carb, and cam, and you'll be surprised how much it wakes 250 cubic inches up!

 

Nice... I'm heading to the salvage yard tomorow to see what I can come up with.



Thats when I got it...

I'm thinking metalflake orange... and some mags.

Hey sock ****er, haha, do you have any extra chevy wheels around?

 

what's ya looking for?

You really should sell that thing, it's very ugly....

 

Any kind of mags... or slots... whatever would look cool on it. 14's or 15's... if you've got anything laying around.

 

might have some 14" slots....i'll check

 

Whoa sweet. A Boogie Van! You better put a black light in it...

 

Johnny,

Sweet Ride.
Looks like a 108. Am I right?
I'd love to find one of those, with the "barn doors".
A little TLC and she'll be the envy of the neighborhood!

As for your engine question, one thing I didn't see mentioned was that all of the inline sixes made by the big 3 from the 60's-80's were some of the most reliable powerplants ever produced by anyone.
Treat 'em nice, or treat 'em like ****, they'll always start and run.
However, I heard that they all have an Achilles Heel.
Because of the long run the fuel/air mixture has to traverse, the end cylinders (1 & 6) have a tendency to burn the valves. This is due to the mixture leaning out by the time it reaches the cylinder.
Chevy's remedy was to dispense with the 1-bbl. carb and go with the 2-bbl., instead.
This started on the trucks in the '79 model year.
Might be something to look for, when you're out searching for a head.
Integral intake manifold also has improved porting over the older style head, so power increases, slightly.
Lastly, once you get that thing running, or if you've got some extra cash, think about upgrading the ignition to an HEI unit. It'll improve driveability and gas milage.



6narow

 

Awesome.

It's actually the short wheelbase one. I love it.... Vans are the new Hot Rods.

I got a cylinder head from the local salvage place yesterday.... seems like mine was a later head... it had the smoke air pump tues... or something like that.... hopefully this head is decent.

What year HEI will fit my 250? Would I be better off with one from a 70's motor, or does someone make an aftermarket one?

 

I use an HEI on my AMC I6. Just ordered one for an early '80's I6 truck. Pretty cheap, too. I think it was less than $100. Threw a coil on top and switched the AMC gear on it and BAM!!!! I have fire.