Gmc v-6

[denverslim]

Who amunst us have been around the GMC V-6 engines. I have loved the sb V-8s for both reliability and maybe more--SOUND. I have a chance to pick up a GMC with the V-6 sight-unseen. Does it compare?

Thanks for any comment here...slim

[MusicMan70]

Hello DenverSlim and Welcome.!

There is lots of info here; http://6066gmcguy.com/

[TJ's Chevy]

The GMC V6 is one of the toughest and most reliable engines GM ever made. Better than any SBC in my opinion because of one thing.....you can Tow and Tow and Tow and Tow and that engine will never stop. I know some guys with these engines who have 400,000 on them and still drive them all the time. Can't say much in that area for a small block. They are a little tough on fuel, but really not much worse than a small block. Properly tuned with a 500 cfm holley 2 barrel, dual exhaust, HEI and some taller gearing mileage increases and so does power. I say get it, and if it's a 351M or bigger....Really get it. Put some flowmasters on that v6 and you'll get Sound.

[factorystock]

The highly durable V6 family is all about high torque at low rpm. Similar to the characteristics of a diesel engine ( non turbo). It was well known as a reliable high mileage truck engine, assuming they are not abused, racing it at high rpms etc. If your into small block Chevys you are comparing apples to oranges. Ended in pickups in '69, large trucks in '74, so parts are becoming more difficult to find.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by denverslim

Who amunst us have been around the GMC V-6 engines. I have loved the sb V-8s for both reliability and maybe more--SOUND. I have a chance to pick up a GMC with the V-6 sight-unseen. Does it compare?

Thanks for any comment here...slim

Absolutely no comparison. There is no sound sweeter than a dualed out V6. I think it has to do with the even firing order (1 6 5 4 3 2). For pickup use, it is superior to a smallblock. The only place I would take a smallblock over a V6 is in a car.

Another cool thing about V6's, if your truck has a 305 or 351 in it, a 401 or even a 478 will BOLT in place...

[kchampagne]

Hello from Littleton, CO. I totally agree! Absolutely love the big block v6's. I have three. I just dropped in my newly rebuilt 305 today. The other 2 are spares for parts. What truck are you thinking about putting it in? Parts are getting tough to find, but if you can get one that runs well, it should last a long time. If you get one, let me know and I can give you a hand or give you some more info. Definitely check out the 6066gmcguy site!

[bpmcgee]

Denver,

I bought a 61 GMC suburban with the V6 in it this fall, and I quite like it too. It's got a unique sound and really pulls!

Parts are VERY hard to find -- a rebuild requiring new parts would probably not be possible without digging deep, so make sure it's in good condition.

Lastly, as they said the red line is absurdly low -- if you plan highway speeds you'll definitely need taller gears than stock, but it's got plenty of torque to handle that, I think

B

[wcstory]

Almost every trip to the parts store you will end up in the parking lot showing the counter help that a GMC 305e actually has SIX cylinders.

You cant beat the interesting factor of talking about a big block v-6.

Don't get me wrong I love the SB 350 and would run one in my GMC without hesitation..... if my truck came with something other that the BB V-6

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by bpmcgee

Denver,

I bought a 61 GMC suburban with the V6 in it this fall, and I quite like it too. It's got a unique sound and really pulls!

Parts are VERY hard to find -- a rebuild requiring new parts would probably not be possible without digging deep, so make sure it's in good condition.

Lastly, as they said the red line is absurdly low -- if you plan highway speeds you'll definitely need taller gears than stock, but it's got plenty of torque to handle that, I think

B

Parts actually aren't That bad for the 305, mainly the Main and Cam bearings are the hard ones to find. Pretty much everything else needed can be purchased through the auto parts stores. 305 has plenty of torque to pull a 3.07 gear.

[bpmcgee]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Parts actually aren't That bad for the 305, mainly the Main and Cam bearings are the hard ones to find. Pretty much everything else needed can be purchased through the auto parts stores. 305 has plenty of torque to pull a 3.07 gear.

TJ,

I haven't done it myself, so perhaps you have more experience. I know, however, when I search NAPA and Rock Auto, neither of them have pistons, rings, cam shafts, rocker arms, or intake valves.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by bpmcgee

TJ,

I haven't done it myself, so perhaps you have more experience. I know, however, when I search NAPA and Rock Auto, neither of them have pistons, rings, cam shafts, rocker arms, or intake valves.

Yer correct for sure on that, camshafts and valves pop up on Ebay frequently. Rings do as well, if I am not mistaken(I'll have to double check) rings can be purchased through summit racing. Lifters are the same as a 235 I6, rocker arms are normally re-usable.