250 or 350?

[CATMdude45]

So my 52 3100 came with a running 250 out of a Chavelle. i have a SBC block that's would need built. I am wondering if it would be cheaper to overhaul the 250 or build the 350. I am building a restomod so the breaks and everything will handle the 350. How much improvement can I get out of the 250. I plan on cruise with the truck on weekends and to car shows. Will have to do some freeway driving.

[iowaboynca]

You can do a lot with either...

At the end of the day, do you want the sound of I6 or the V8?

[lv2tri2]

Originally Posted by CATMdude45

So my 52 3100 came with a running 250 out of a Chavelle. i have a SBC block that's would need built. I am wondering if it would be cheaper to overhaul the 250 or build the 350. I am building a restomod so the breaks and everything will handle the 350. How much improvement can I get out of the 250. I plan on cruise with the truck on weekends and to car shows. Will have to do some freeway driving.

Headers and dual exhaust on a straight 6 brings a unique sound. That motor can be built with Impressive HP. Not a major difference in cost for just a rebuild of these two. The Inline will probably be a little more interesting at the car shows, especially with some performance parts and there are fewer of them. IMO

[svr]

I'm useing the 235 that came in my truck, going with a t5, 2x1 fenton intake, fenton dual exhaust. Have a few rochester carbs to choose from but but am very intriged by Langdons webber set up and may end up that way. Wish i could get the pic deal figured out from my iphone to to post a pic or 2.
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[Jemezcrusher]

Originally Posted by svr

I'm useing the 235 that came in my truck, going with a t5, 2x1 fenton intake, fenton dual exhaust. Have a few rochester carbs to choose from but but am very intriged by Langdons webber set up and may end up that way. Wish i could get the pic deal figured out from my iphone to to post a pic or 2.
Posted via Mobile Device

I bought the Webers from Langdons. Two brand new two barrels that will deliver the right amount of fuel for the engine size. 200 for the pair. Can't beat that. I have two Rochester B's but think would be WAY over carbureted. Looking forward to the sound. Trying to figure out how to put an H pipe in too

[Russell Ashley]

I love inline six's. I'm old enough to remember when you couldn't get anything but a six in any Chevy, so I have remained somewhat partial to them. If it were me I'd keep the six and add multiple carbs, dual exhaust, and some chrome goodies and drive it. You can't beat the sound of a straight six with a good set of pipes and it will get more attention at cruise ins and shows. Either way, V8 or 6, it's your truck so your decision.

[OrrieG]

Have you considered older GMC 302 or 70-80's Chevy 292 (L25)? Rebuilt costs would probably be the same as 235/250 but you are starting with more base HP and torque. inliners.org is a good resource for straight 6 and 8 performance info. 292's are still plentiful, UPS used them in their trucks for years...

[mr48chev]

First the decision has to be on the line of what you plan to do with and in the truck when it is done.

I ran a 250 in my 48 for over 100K miles an it got good gas mileage and until it was beyond worn out (had 95K on it when I put it in) was dead nuts reliable. We took several 500 mile road trips in it and I did a triangle road trip from Toppenish, Wa, to Bonneville for speed week, then to Pleasanton Ca for Goodguys and back up 97 home. It wasn't fast but it purred along hour after hour.

On the other hand I also ran a 283 in the truck for about 100 k and later a 350 in it for around 100K Wore both of those out too. Both had simple ring and valve jobs on them when they went in but were pretty reliable. The 283 towed a 16 ft U haul from Texas to Washington and the 350 made a road trip to Texas and back and to Ogden and back in it's time.

The big difference is that with the V8 you can cruise faster on the big roads without much fuss.
Around town the 250 with a sweet set of pipes is a lot of fun for the buck.

[vintovka]

Neither, Woulda gone with a Cummins diesel if i had to do it over again. Parts for 350's however are cheap and plentiful.

[dsraven]

go LS and o/d auto. buy a wreck and use the parts from it that you need, then sell or scrap the rest. easy start up, smooth idle, good mileage, no stinky fuel out the tail pipe, lots of upgrade available later, no carb issues, it's the new small block. lots of info on here for the swap.
just me thinking out loud though, your truck.do it your way.

[CATMdude45]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Neither, Woulda gone with a Cummins diesel if i had to do it over again. Parts for 350's however are cheap and plentiful.

I have a dodge diesel for all my towing needs this truck will not be a workhorse, but I love my diesel and I have seen a few of our trucks with a diesel and they are cool

[BLUE49]

I'm running a 250 with a Camaro 5 spd/ 64GMC rear end. It cruises the freeway at 65 - 70 with no strain. I started out with 2-2bbls from Langdon. Had some minor conflict with the firewall to fender brace I didn't want to deal with, so went to a 4bbl Holley (350 CFM). I'm willing to sell the 2 - 2bbl set up.
PM me for more info. if you like. I also have the cast iron headers fro Langdon, great set up, and its great to buy from someone who really knows the I6's.

[CATMdude45]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

First the decision has to be on the line of what you plan to do with it
Y
The big difference is that with the V8 you can cruise faster on the big roads without much fuss.
Around town the 250 with a sweet set of pipes is a lot of fun for the buck.

My plan is to just drive it around town bhowever there are a few car shows I plan on attending that are a few hours away so it will need do well on the freeway.

[mr48chev]

Old thread and I answered it before but one thing to think about is that the 250 is already in there, you don't have to ponder how to make it fit or change a lot. In good shape they will run down the highway for hours on end just like they were intended to do and did in the car or truck they left the factory in.

The 350 though as fun as it can be with the added performance is going to take building new mounts, moving the steering to clear the exhaust and a few other fights that can be real minor but still have to be fought. The steering/exhaust clearance issue is one that we have fought with small blocks and stock steering since the first V8 got swapped into and AD truck.

Around town with a great sounding set of pipes is a lot of fun even though you won't win any races unless you pick on Renault Dauphines and there aren't too many of those left to pick on now days.

This time around I am putting a 292 in my 48 as I mentioned earlier. I picked up an Aussie Speed 4 barrel intake for it the other day and ordered a set of finned aluminum side covers for it. Next comes the finned aluminum valve cover and then the Langdon dual exhaust. That will pretty well give me all the pieces except and adapter for the trans I am going to run engine wise. As soon as the shop is up and somewhat finished the chassis should go together in a hurry.

And yes it will have a set of pipes on it that talk the language when it's done. I want to roll though the down town area of my home town in the early evening like I did when I was 18 with my 50 Chevy Hardtop that had a split manifold and great pipes on it and hear the rap of the pipes bounce off the buildings again.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have no dog in this fight but I'll chime in.

You have a "running" 250 that's already installed but you don't say how well it runs. You say you have another vehicle for towing so I assume this means you don't need more power. Assuming the six runs acceptably, leave it, dress it up and deal with its freeway manners via the rearend ratio.




The 350 is only a block? To me it's a slam dunk that the six will be cheaper and it's inarguable that the 250 will be more unique than a 350 belly button.

[chevyguyase]

I'm happy with my 250, 1 bbl with a t5 and 3.46 rear axle. Highway and city it does fine. Like you, a fresh 250 was already in there. The granny geared 4 spd and the 2. something rear gears had to go. I also went with AC and power disc brakes

[CATMdude45]

Nice engine......the 250 runs well, I will need to go over it for new seals ect....PO made mounting brackets for 250.....engine sits almost on top of the front cross member, no way to change belt without lifting engine. So I have some work to do.

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I have no dog in this fight but I'll chime in.

You have a "running" 250 that's already installed but you don't say how well it runs. You say you have another vehicle for towing so I assume this means you don't need more power. Assuming the six runs acceptably, leave it, dress it up and deal with its freeway manners via the rearend ratio.




The 350 is only a block? To me it's a slam dunk that the six will be cheaper and it's inarguable that the 250 will be more unique than a 350 belly button.