6 cylinder and manual brakes?

[snyder66]

So, I'm looking into this 250 cid 6 cylinder 79 Chevy that has manual brakes. Obviously there are other specs to it, these are the ones I have questions about. What are manual brakes like to drive? Any problems? What kind of gas mileage would I expect from a 6 cylinder and does it have enough beef? Thanks

[lilpoindexter]

What are manual brakes like to drive?
I only drive my truck on weekends...at first my right knee would hurt on Mondays, but at some point, I got used to it...It stops fine, the brakes feel fine. I've never had anything really heavy in it, but no problems with stopping...I did put in a new Master cylinder, hardlines, stainless lines, new hardlines, and I bled it and bled it until the pedal is rock hard.

Any problems? So far, no.

What kind of gas mileage would I expect from a 6 cylinder . Just as bad as a 350...Maybe 12 in mixed driving, with no load.

and does it have enough beef? Ehh....that's subjective, but probably no. It can move ok, and what not, but if some dork in a Scion wants to pass you on the right, there's nothing you can really do about it.

[S10Fan]

There's nothing wrong with manual brakes. The only difference between manual and power brakes, with power brakes it's easier to push the pedal. Given a choice I'd take manual brakes hands down. Think about it, 43 Nascar race cars ran 400 laps at Richmond last night, all of them with manual brakes.

The 6 cyl, gas mileage won't be impressive, not at all.

[snyder66]

I thought the 6 might be an issue. I really need help finding a truck...

[Shyguy]

It just depends what transmission and rear-end is in the truck. I have a 250 in a '67 swb stepper and it has plenty of power for what I use it for, it has an old 4 speed with 3.73 gears.

It has hydraulic brakes (manual) and stops the truck ok.

[lakeroadster]

Power vs. manual: Only difference is the amount of force you, as the driver, apply to the brake pedal. Stopping distance isn't effected in any way.

Those of us that are older, that have driven manual brake equipped vehicles, can tell you that as long as you have the physical strength, you are good to go!

[burb1085]

I have a square body burb with power brakes and a short bed with manual, and you can barley tell the difference, IMO.

[sierra4x4]

The manual brakes are not that bad at all. As for the 6 cyl they are a great little engine and last a long time and they can give decent mileage. I have a 250 in my 80 gmc and I like it however it is no powerhouse but its very simple and reliable.

[71Sixer]

Manual brakes are not bad at all once you get used to them...stopping is fine only time it is a pain is when stuck on a hill at a stop light, then the leg might get tired.

As for the 6 cyl. well do you want a hot rod or just a good reliable driver? I feel pretty confident my 250 would take me across country...and gas miliage is decent but no Geo by any means.

[old Rusty C10]

years back i had a g 20 van with a 292 six cylinder and manual brakes... i found no difference in mileage with the 6 as opposed to an 8 and the manual brakes while they take more effort than power assist brakes, they are not hard to stop at all...personally i kinda like the manual brakes . Unless youre towing alot of heavy things alot of the time, a six cylinder is not a reason to discount the truck... i towed a thunderbird about 80 miles on a tow dolly with a 6 banger and while i set no land speed records the truck was adequately powered..if youre trying to do the 11 second quarter mile then not so much

[motornut]

duno bout mileage but the 250 in my 72 ventura sucked
my buddies got a kick outa lifting the back up to help the one wheel wonder spin
then the 350 .... different story