Keeping my I6 250...what to do?

[dash13]

I am keeping my I6 250 and want to know what to do to it. I have changed plugs and wires and replaced the valve cover gasket. Replaced the fuel filter and did an oil change.


What's next?

[dash13]

Here are some pictures of it now.

[stevenfromtexas]

i got excited when i saw this picture!! i thought mine was actually road worthy hahaha

i did the petronix system in my distributor. i wanted to keep the look of the coil (the original look)

[stevenfromtexas]

sorry if this is sideways too

Originally Posted by dash13

Here are some pictures of it now.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by dash13

Here are some pictures of it now.

Whoa! That rubber fuel line and filter going to a metal hardline is a neat idea. That way you can get a good seal on the flared ends without too much trouble!

Is there any danger of a fire with that set up?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Are you looking to do some modifications? You could look at buying some headers to do dual exhuast and let her breathe a bit better, change from your points setup to an HEI unit. That's all I've done to my 230 yet.

[dash13]

Explain the Points to HEI and why one would change.

[68lwb292]

Definitely get an HEI look for late 70s straight sixes in the junk yard (Novas, Camaros, Malibus, & pickups) or get a new one (Ebay $60-$120). They are 100% more reliable. Dual exhausts sounds great on these motors, and an intake, carb, and cam swap will wake that little guy up too. Check out Clifford Performance if you wanna get hooked and spend all your Christmas money!
http://www.cliffordperformance.net/M...gory_Code=C250

[ol_skool_chevy]

1. HEI unit. ignition coil into the distributor cap, eliminating the need for a coil wire and adjusting them. HEI's produces both a hotter and fatter spark', huge HP gains.

2.2 barrel carb intake "more fuel flow"

3. go to pick and pull and get a new model exhaust manafold from a inline 6...maybe out of a truck of the 1980-85. they are 1/2" bigger....its like running a header..and run 2 1/2" mufflerand pipe.

[camrycurt]

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

3. go to pick and pull and get a new model exhaust manafold from a inline 6...maybe out of a truck of the 1980-85. they are 1/2" bigger....its like running a header..and run 2 1/2" mufflerand pipe.

Will the 80-85 manifold fit on a mid-sixties 230 L6?

I think GM stopped making the 230s around 1970 or so, and mine needs a new manifold. If a newer and better model out of a bigger L6 would work I'd love to make this change.

Thanks!

[ol_skool_chevy]

Originally Posted by camrycurt

Will the 80-85 manifold fit on a mid-sixties 230 L6?

I think GM stopped making the 230s around 1970 or so, and mine needs a new manifold. If a newer and better model out of a bigger L6 would work I'd love to make this change.

Thanks!

The exhaust manafold will fit....I have one

[68lwb292]

HEI is way more reliable and produce a hotter spark. You'll have to probably run an ignition hot 12V to power it up because I think the points coil is low voltage. They are 1 wire hook up and easy tach hook up too. Plus they are a cleaner look than the points set-up.

[dash13]

This all sounds great.

[68lwb292]

Keep us updated on what you get done. We all have to stick together cause Inliners are like Mopar Guys ........ Crazy and Outnumbered!

[dash13]

I can do that. And I certainly notice that

What kind of gas mileage should I expect once I'm driving my truck?

[68lwb292]

Depends on gearing and trans but don't expect over 16

[Shaky]

As everyone else said - you have to go electronic. Better starting, more power, easier maintenance, better mileage.

I've pulled off 20 mpg with a 250 before on a steady cruise, but 16-18 is the norm for me.

If it's a '67 250 I usually update to the '68-'72 monojet.

You might want to pop a side cover, pull a lifter and look at the cam lobe. If it looks worn it's not too hard to put a new cam in and it will really wake it back up...

[dash13]

If it's a '67 250 I usually update to the '68-'72 monojet.

You might want to pop a side cover, pull a lifter and look at the cam lobe. If it looks worn it's not too hard to put a new cam in and it will really wake it back up...[/QUOTE]

Tell me more......

[Shaky]

Originally Posted by dash13

If it's a '67 250 I usually update to the '68-'72 monojet.

You might want to pop a side cover, pull a lifter and look at the cam lobe. If it looks worn it's not too hard to put a new cam in and it will really wake it back up...

Tell me more...... [/QUOTE]

Well, '68 was when the redesigned monojet was introduced. I've found it easier to work on and it performs well. It's a direct bolt-on so I did that to my '67.

I had a '70 Bel Air with a 250 that was not well maintained. It ran, but didn't have a lot of power. I popped a lifter out and looked at the cam lobe. It was worn way down.

For not much money I got a stock replacement cam from JC Whitney and popped it in. Now the valves opened all the way . Made a noticeable difference in power.

[Luvlegs]

For future mods (not just the engine) you can go to power steering (pump mounts are harder to find) and brake booster (you'll need the also harder to find offset air filter set up). Both of these are just things to tinker with but keep you looking for I6 parts. Hoses and wiring are things to go through as well. Everything thats black in the pic is new stuff on mine.

[cericd]

Just an FYI, if you want your photos to upload with the proper orientation, when taking a picture...

[stevenfromtexas]

Originally Posted by cericd

Just an FYI, if you want your photos to upload with the proper orientation, when taking a picture...

thank you very much for the picture advise....several of the pictures were taken before the tips..

thank you again

[Mike C]

I agree with many posters above. HEI (Pertronix OK, but if a failure, HEI parts available inexpensively anywhere around town same day.) Power Steering. I'm OK with manual brakes, even discs but YMMV.

But the best thing you can do for your 6 cylinder is a T5 transmission from an S10 with a 4.3.

I really like the way a lowered truck rides as well. Drop kit, swaybars and gas shocks and my '69 is a pseudo-sports car.

[crazyjeenyus]

Here's a few things that I'm surprised no one has mentioned yet:

Look at installing a lump port kit in your head, those inline six heads were not designed well, and lump porting will vastly improve flow. Heck, even if you cut out the bolt bosses on the intake runners your flow numbers will increase substantially.
This will also allow you to more properly utilize a 4-barrel intake & carb and headers.

Another inexpensive upgrade that a lot of guys do is swap out your stock slugs with a set of aftermarket 307 flat top Pistons. They'll fit your block perfectly, and greatly decrease your rotating mass.

Now you can choose a cam, something in the 260-280 range would work well with the other upgrades. Always install new lifters with a new cam, and a set of roller-tipped rockers would be perfect.

This is about all you would want to do to a little 6 banger aside from adding a turbo or supercharger which I'm not really a fan of.

I'm actually in the process of building up a 292 for one of my projects ('50 Chevy Deluxe).

I've got some +.040 Silv-o-lite flat tops
And a comp 280h cam
Plan is to acquire a lump ported head and go from there.

Good luck with your 6. It's always nice to see one that's been beefed up, and they have a great sound.

[HO455]

I have a different opinion. I have run the base model Pertonics units for decades now and not had a failure. But if I ever did, the points and the rest of the pieces are bagged up in the glove box ready to get me on the road again. That isn't an option for an HEI, unless your willing to carry a spare distributor. Tomatoe or Tomato.
And as far as what else to do with your 250. Drive the wheels off it man!


P.S. (Pertronics got bought out and the company's new products are not up the the engineering standards of the old owners. The old line of products are still as good as they used to be. We wont install any units but the basic ones. Lesson learned the usual way.)