i'm new to the old chevy stuff (more of an old motorcycle guy) anyways, i picked up a 63 Chevy truck recently for a project...eventually it'll be a daily runner for me as it'll probably get better gas mileage than my v8 truck i drive now...so here are some thoughts/ questions, i've done a bit of research on these engines and i'd like to do some mild upgrading (nothing crazy i just want to be able to go close to the same speed as a modern 4cyl ;-) the goal is to get off the line at a decent pace and be able to run at highway speeds with the stock 4 on the floor wondering what my best options might be...i'm already thinking new intake manifold and cast iron headers for dual exhaust...i read about putting a 194 head on my 230...also read about lump ports but some say you need to have larger valves put in and then you might as well get a cam too and have the stock head milled etc....all seem to be great ideas but i'm looking at not spending a ton and getting the most for my $$. so.... 1-lump ports or 194 head??(which seem to be a little difficult to find with the right casting number) 2-does either of the choices above require larger valves? 3-for intake manifolds which is recommended single 4 barrel or 2 single barrels or other?? 4-what are the recommended carbs for either set up?? 5-Is the HEI ignition highly recommended? if so which model and year bolt on?? 6-after the engine is done i need to replace the rear end so i can get 5 lug discs and better gearing...anybody know what the best set up would be for that?? Thanks a ton in advance for all your knowledge and help and if anybody has any of the parts i'm going to need i'm in the market ;-)
Build a 292 if you're spending $$ on a 6 ... you'll also need a 5 speed or an overdrive if you keep the factory rear axle ratio.
i heart inliners... they get a sound all its own. like 302 said, you'd be better of $ wise looking into a 292 block for a start point. im not sure if your motor is a 7 main bearing or no, but the 292 is for sure, and they can make a TON of power check out clifford performance. they make a lot of speed stuff for 6's. and good luck
From the Motors Manuals specs the 1967 250 6cyl had the highest compression and highest factory horsepower rating,you might want to track one down for a build,they were also a pre-smog motor.Rather than change your stock rear a 200R4 overdrive transmission would be a better bet,6 bolt disc brake conversions are available for the front.For best fuel distribution I would run a 3 X 1 BBl Offy intake with progressive linkage and the Holley gl*** bowel carbs(just 'cause they look cool) Crower still has a good selection of Cams for your 6 cyl.Another alternative would be to run Offy or Clifford 4 barrell intake with a 390 Holley and turbocharge it since there are a fair amount of used Turbochargers available,upside of a Turbo is increased horsepower and better fuel economy since you can run a milder more efficent camshaft with it.Google "Turbocharged Sixes" you should find some cool info.That stock 4 speed is good for pulling down trees but not geared for performance or quick shifting.
A 194 head will give you a lot of compression... probably too much for today's gas. You will be happier with the 250 or 292 as a base to build on. A T5 will be your best bet for acceleration and highway speed/mileage.
A 230 or 250 will get still decent gas mileage, a 292 will **** gas like a V8. The lump port mod is best left for a race engine. To do it requires milling and removing the head bolt boss that runs through the middle of the siamesed intake ports and using flat head allen screws to fasten down the head in those locations and plugging the head at the top where the head bolt originall was. Pretty much any '75 or later 250 will have an HEI that you can rob to use on your 230. A 390 Holley 4-barrel is a good carb, use an Offy single-4 intake. Go easy on the cam, see what Clifford recommends for a slightly warmed-over street 230 or 250.
A 230 will be a dog in that 3/4 ton truck.Build a 292 as mentioned above if you want a 6.And a built 6 will not get better fuel mileage than a V-8 of similar power.
t-5 is a good trans for that rear, i DO agree. however, i prefer the getrag new-process 5 speed manual OD chevy used in the gmc/chev 1500 series and s-10 applications. if you want three pedals, this is the way to go IMO
i kinda WANT to disagree with you about the same fuel mileage thing... let me voice my reason here if a 250cid inline is NOT over carbureted, versus a 350 v-8 which is, again carb'd right. the larger displacement engine is going to by physics, use more fuel mixture. no? 250cid should have no more than just under 400cfm of fuel/air mixture. 350cid should have no more than a little over 550cfm of fuel/air mix. i used the 3456 equation @ 5500rpm for these results, but from what i see from what i got, the 350 is going to use more F/A mixture than the 250. am i completely off my rocker here?
Fiddy, Maybe at WOT, but most engines cruise at a very low part throttle opening at high vacuum. The 350 will have higher pumping losses. Also, the extra two cylinders create more friction that eats some power.
I said a 6 and 8 of equal power.A stock low performance 350 cube V-8 will make 200 hp at 4200 rpm and maybe 300 pounds of torque at 2200 rpm.A 230 6 built to make 200 hp will make less torque at a higher rpm.It will need higher rpm's than the bigger cube V-8 to do the same work.In fact a 200 hp 230 cube 6 will be quite lumpy and weak at low rpm's and be pretty gutless to move 4000 plus pounds in comparison to a larger engine.Cubes always wins at moving weight. Now if the 6 is turbocharged,now that's different.
??? cubes is a way around torque when moving weight... its called compensation. torque always wins moving weight. and a six . . . nevermind. i dont want to get into a huge **** measuring contest and make a lot of people upset n stuff.
Smaller displacement is not always your answer. Just a few facts gathered from personal experience: 1988 s-10 4 cyl 150 cu in, trip mileage 28 - 29 empty truck. !992 Buick Roadmaster 350, trip ---- 31+. A 4000 car loaded with junk. 1968 Camero 230 12-13 mpg no matter what. Gear so that your desired cruise speed is just a little below max torque RPM.
ok, first thanks for all the replies!!...i'm thinking i'll probably stick with the 230 and 4 on the floor and looking to do the best i can with it....so if the gas mileage will lack it is what it is...if i can't keep up with a corrolla, oh well...i'm going to switch out the rear axle for sure to get better gearing so still looking for more suggestions then put a 292 in it...thanks...
Then go seek out a '73 to '87 1/2 ton rear end with a 3.08 gear ratio. You'll have to replace the spring perches but that' no biggie. Up front the whole front cross member with suspension and all unbolts and can be replaced with '73 to '87 crossmember; better ride, disc brakes, easy. To use power steering from the same truck though you'll need an adapter bout $80. Can't remember who makes it but all the Chevy C-10 parts spe******ts sell the same kit. If you run power steering and brakes find a master cylender from a Astro van and get Hydraulic boosted brakes. No power steering use the vacuum booster off a '73-'87. If you see a decent HEI distributor on 230/250/292 six at a junk yard grab it, they are also available after market. If you don't know where the nearest "You Pick" yard is-find out cause you will be a regular customer there. Had lots of '63 t0 '66 pick ups, have a '63 now. A short wide bed with a 350 and a Muncie m-20 4 speed.
Yep, Put a 250 crank in it, 250 pistons, small perf cam with head work, 390 4 bbl carb and headers. easy 250 hp and efficient. Tom
If Your 230 is a numbers matching engine, rebuild it! If not well, then what ever! If you or somone you know is a good machinist you may be surprised at what can be done. If you want to save money, bore the 235 30 over with some kind of performance pistons (Miniumum of 9:1 compression ratio) mild upgrated cams are available from "Comp Cams". Of course the head will be rebuilt with larger valves. A Clifford Performance intake, webber (two barrel) carb, and hedders (dueled out). I know about money being tight, spend on what counts and build yourself a really good running engine. Who know's; your Transmission could **** out on you next!
The Jalopy Journal
