My car is completely dead, AGAIN.

I'd like to re-direct this thread a bit from the "go for the SBC/v.s. keep the 6" debate.

Growing up in a non-mechanical household, I somehow got the "aptitude" and thirsted for my Dad to have the experience and knowledge to help me with my car-building fantasies. The fact was for me, that my Dad was more of a "that's a cool car, hopefully I could own one like that some day" kinda guy, not much on mechanical aptitude or desire to learn, for that matter. He appreciates Lead Sleds and Kustoms- as much as I do, and the work that goes into them, but the thought of welding anything would have him handing the gun over to me, so to speak.

What we have here is a case of an underlying bonding between a father and (admittently-unusually) a daughter. I think it's pretty damn cool. Stacey working with her dad to build this car now in a way that will make them both happy in the long run.

Stacey, your pops is creating you a legacy.

Run with it. Someday you might appreciate it even more than you might know right now.

Mercman

 

NOOO ! that is so sad .I am very sorry to here that , but I would go again at the 6 .They just so rock. G'luck . swaZZie

 

Good grief, what rotten luck. I swear, some motors and some cars just have a bad vibe, looks like that 6 has some issues. I'm with the 350 crowd, there is no replacement for displacement. Sixes can be cute, but every hot rodder since the beginning has but a bigger and stronger motor in their car when they had the chance. Shit, maybe that's what Faye has been trying to tell you all along. Maybe the girl wants to run instead of walk...

 

What ever route you choose i wish you luck but in my opinion the six would make more sence, there is a lot more involved in swapping the v-8 in there then you would think.

 

so true, i can relate to what you're saying! (not to hijack this thread)

 

Sorry to hear that bad news, but i have to agree with the lowest cost is to fix the 235. However, the time is right to upgrade to the 350, so just take a littel extra time and do the V8 swap, then you will have many miles of trouble-free driving. Although a full pressure 235 has the same potential reliability, the 350 has approx 50% more cubes, which means more torque and hp. Go with the 350 and have fun when it is back together.

 

Ok, i'll bite--- define "a lot more work"

Stacey

 

I'm sure you have thought this through,
it's not a difficult swap,
just a little more involved than unbolting and rebolting.

I did a similar swap a few years ago,
in a pickup

I found a donor that had everything from the radiator, to drive shaft, carb to pan and everything in between.

I did have to buy headers and have exhaust run,
and had the driveshaft shortened.
and make up or buy all the hoses, linkage, plumbing etc...

I think it took two weekends total.

come to think of it,
that was the best move I ever made with that truck

 

Sorry to hear about the car. I'm going to have to go with everyone else and say fix the 6. Either way you've got to put money into one of the engines. The 6 will bolt right back up, where the 8 will need some mods. The hot 6 has the cool factor. After the 8 is in you'll end up spending more time and $ to find good looking stuff to put on it like you already have for the 6.

As for getting it on the road asap, by the time you go through the 8 and mount it up, it will probably take just as long as fixing up the 6. Not to mention it's december and maryland can get snowy and cold. Don't worry about driving it until march anyway. Set up your plan now, get on it, and you'll be back on the road for the first ice cream cone of the season.

 

Very sad news and my heart goes out to you. You will make the right decision, I have faith in you. As great as my Dad is he has no interest what so ever in helping with Big Olds. I wish it were different. Spend the winter in the garage with your Dad helping you and you'll never regret it. I like your dad alot and I wish you guys lived closer. I'd sure like to be over helping and learning.

Hope to see you up and running in the spring perhaps at either the Jalopy Showdown or here in Detroit at BilletProff.

 

Stacey, Sorry to hear about this. If there is Anything you need in the way of SBC parts, or if you are going to have another thrash, you know I will be there! I'm not just saying that because of how well you fed me the last time!

 

So sorry to hear. Best of luck on whatever you decide to do. The thrill of driving makes it even worse when they break. Put her back on the road and enjoy her regardless of the engine.

Regards,