Decided to keep my inline 6 and improve it.

[Craftsmen]

Here's a few changes, HEI dizzy with new acccel wires and plugs, new alternator with internal voltage regulator. Starts up a runs like a bear!

1970 C10 SWB, 4/6 Early Classic static drop, front power disc brake conversion, Early Classic front sway bar.

Next I'm thinking, Clifford intake with dual Webers, split header, a mild cam. O'H and got to have one of them cool valve covers and side cover plates.

Craftsmen

[jessemthompson]

Sounds like a fun project. Definitely taking the road less traveled.

[swamp rat]

Cool! there are a number of 6 cyl threads on this forum that are good reads.

[nascarguy320]

I have a 250 in my 68 that has the Clifford intake with two 38 webers on it and headers. I also had the motor rebuilt bigger pistons 10.5 to 1 comp and a 520 lift cam, bigger valves in the head and ported it also with a hei dist. I should have it up and running in a few weeks just got the motor back last week.

[Craftsmen]

Thanks guys, yes every car show I go to I see c10's with a 350 small block. Keeping th six I feel I'll keep the originality of the truck and making it cool and unique at the same time. I've seen the different threads on the forum and found some great information. What a great forum. Clever people with great looking trucks.

[Craftsmen]

Nascarguy320, please keep me posted on your progress and how you like the Clifford parts. Thanks for your reply and any input that you don't mind sharing.

[nascarguy320]

No problem Craftsman I cant wait to fire this thing up too...

[RANDY COX]

KOOL I like them six's too I'm currently a 292 in mine...

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by RANDY COX

KOOL I like them six's too I'm currently a 292 in mine...

I'd love to see someone go fuel injected.

[Craftsmen]

I purchased Leo Stantucci's book, Chevrolet inline six-cylinder power manual. Some of the creations in that book are sick! Fuel injection, nitrous, super and turbocharging, awesome.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by Craftsmen

I purchased Leo Stantucci's book, Chevrolet inline six-cylinder power manual. Some of the creations in that book are sick! Fuel injection, nitrous, super and turbocharging, awesome.

Back in the 70's Northwest Missouri I used to watch dirt track inline 6 cyl only racing, don't remember a cubic inch limit but I'm pretty sure they had one. The 250 chevy dominated and was really impressive in both the open wheel and stock car classes.

Necessity is the mother of invention. If you gotta run a six, you will figure out a way to make it go.

[poway]

Any idea what kind of mileage you guys are getting with a six? My 68 panel originally has a six with three-on-the-tree but it had a 350 when I bought it. I'm pushing 12 mpg on the freeway and about 9 mpg around town. I'd drive it more if it got better mileage.

[bs46488]

Everyone chant with me....

Turbo....turbo...turbo

[jamyers]

Good for you! I'm no expert on Chevy 6's, I've dealt a lot more with Ford 6's (which will drive you crazy with their stupid integrated log intake manifold.

If I were going to build a GM 6, I'd find a good GM Inline 6 forum right off the bat.

Then I'd do some reading up on DIY porting and port cleanup, I'll bet that there's a lot of efficiency (ie, power/mileage) to be gained by just cleaning up the intake / exhaust ports and bowls, given the lack of performance emphasis that went into the design and manufacturing of ANY 6-cylinder back then.

Then, I'd do some reading on intake options and headers. IMHO, headers are really nice if you're going to be revving over 4K rpm, but realistically on a driver they can be a real pain to keep dealing with (bolts that loosen, dents, noise, etc).

If I were going to do multiple carbs, I'd take a good look at using the Rochester 2GV, IMHO one of the better 2-bbls made (efficient, reliable, and durable). I'd think that 2 would work nicely on a driver-type engine, if you're going to build a screamer then 3 would give you a 6-pack!

It's hard to beat the GM HEI system, the only weak part is the enclosed coil that can run hotter than I'd prefer - but under 5k rpm it's by far the best bang for your buck in ignitions. I'd strongly recommend taking a close look at your ignition curve, many engines (especially inline 6's) can gain a LOT from more initial and a faster curve.

Good luck, and keep posting your progress!

[67ChevyRedneck]

I wish I had kept mine. Mine was a strong running, no smoke, quiet and smooth 250. I ran it from 96-02 when I pulled it for a 350. Wish I had never done that. I didn't know back then how EASY it was to swap a 3 speed for an S10 5 speed. I went the hard/expensive route of 350/700R. Back then I only thought you could use an NV4500 and they were quite pricey ($800-1000+ in yards) back then.

As far as fuel mileage, it was a 250/3spd/3.73 and I seemed to average 11mpg no matter how I drove it.

[Craftsmen]

Thank-you jamyers for your comments and valuable information. I'll definitely study your information as I move forward with my 250. Best Regards.

[Craftsmen]

67chevyredneck, please tell me more about the s10 5 speed, I have the factory 3 speed now and you deffintly have sparked my interest.

[Craftsmen]

Mechanicalman I wish mine was the 292. It's really cool that your engine paint matches your truck, is your engine painted with high temp paint. Thanks for your reply and information.

[R.L.]

I have a L6 3 speed in my 71, I like it. It will not give you but maybe a mile or two gas savings over a v8 due to the fact that that small engine has to work harder to get the truck up to speed and it has to work to keep it there. With that 3 speed mine likes 55 to 60 on the highway, it will go faster but that's what it likes and I'm okay with that. It can go cross country at that speed, if your not in a hurry that's what it was engineered to do. If you want derivability and MPG, then drive like your grandparents did. It's Okay. I'm talking about a stock set up. If your going to hop yours up, I think you can get it to preform somewhat like a stock small block. That's pretty cool too, I don't know what kind of gas millage you'll get with that set up but It'll be something that's not done to death like just an other small block. It will be different, it will also cost a lot more to do and if you ever decide to sell it you will have a hard time finding someone to give you much for it, everybody wants a v8. Now you can always buy a used motor and set it up in the corner of your shop just in case you do decide to sell it at some point in time swap it in then take your time selling the L6. Just saying. A S-10 trans is a easy swap and theirs several threads on here about it, go pull one at a salvage yard for cheap service it and take it from there. They make a aftermarket overdrive unit for that Saginaw 3speed I'm looking for but I'm not in a hurry. I just drive around town mostly. I ran into a guy at a U-Pull it yard the other day who was into hot rodding 6s. Circle track racing, he also said he had a old Vett with a hoped up 6 in it. Must have been a 50s model. I've read where you can put lumps in the intake ports of the heads and enhance efficiency. I think if you do this it will be very cool and different, have fun with it and good luck. Myself I think a roadster with a 6 is way cool with a 235 stovebolt, beehive filters duel carbs, finned covers in a 30s Chevy 50s Hot Rod. Oh Yeah.

[R.L.]

Hears some reading.


http://inliners.org/

http://stovebolt.com/

[70cst]

Hey Craftsmen

to the forums and from Ohio.

I also like the sixes

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Craftsmen

67chevyredneck, please tell me more about the s10 5 speed, I have the factory 3 speed now and you deffintly have sparked my interest.

I don't know all the hard details, but there are a lot of threads on here on which ones to use, what year trucks to get them from, what bell housings work, etc. Since I have no need to do the swap anymore.... I forgot everything I learned about it... I just remember people posting it was a straight forward cheap swap.

It was a popular swap for the straight six guys years ago (supposedly they can't hold up to v8 power for more than what an anemic 305 would have) but you don't hear about it much anymore because everyone has LS fever!

[ole dollor]

inline 6 can be a lot of fun to play with, mine has a 292 and is the first inline 6 I have left in and played with. very good motors and will run a long .. long time,
welcome to the forum from Texas, and have fun with your truck...

[TheSeeker]

I too have a 6. Mines a 69 250, I just put Clifford intake and holley 390 carb on mine. Once I got it jetted and set up right Its a real pleasant driver now. headers and glasspacks with the bigger carb and it sounds real nice. If you decide to go with a holley, buy a couple spare power valves lol, 13 bucks apiece and they crap out with a backfire

[RichardJ]

Try this. Then find out why it's backfiring.