350 to inline 250 Swap

[2bits]

Hey guys, my 350 is bad and I've been wanting an inline 6 for a long time, so yesterday I bought a good used 250 from a 73 Nova (If I decided it properly, it is actually a 75 model) it looks like it already has an HEI coil but it is external, not inside the cap.... Am I on crack? I thought they are in the cap like usual, but this sure looks like an HEI coil...

At any rate, I am just looking for anything anyone can suggest for me to look out for generally speaking. I measured from the bell housing to the center of the motor mount on the new engine and on the truck and they are both 16 inches so I just need to get a new motor mount and it should line up fine. I need to get a power steering bracket but it came with the Alt and AC brackets already. Anything I should watch out for? I can't think of anything else beside accelerator linkage maybe.

Thanks!

[rust!!whatrust?]

I am currently doing the opposite. I belive you should have a real easy time with your swap. So far it seems that not much is different as for mounting the engine. You my need a slightly different rod for your accelerator but I don't see anything that I think would get you tangled up. Also that 75 model engine may have the integrated head if so that's not going to be a desireable setup unless you just don't care about performance. I enjoyed my inline but I'm a hotrodder at heart. As for the crack issue: Yea probably. Check out Clifford research they have a lot of neat parts for 250 chevys.

[OhNoJoe]

I got two inlines one in a 63 pick-up and the other in a 72 burb. I would be interested in the part number of the dizzy with the remote coil.
I think you are going to be very happy with the 6.

[TP from Cntl PA]

A 250 swaps in pretty easy.............My K-20 originally had a 350, which was later replaced with a 454. I bought it intending to work it and thought the BB would be good for my uses.............But I ended up totally NOT impressed, so I pulled it, dropped the 250 in and now I am as happy as a hog in SH*T with the truck

[LockDoc]

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2bits,

You will need the six cylinder motor mount towers that bolt to the frame, they are different than the V-8 ones. The ones that bolt to the block should be the same for V-8 & six.

LockDoc

[ilovetara]

WOW, going from a 350 to a 6, never heard that before.

[2bits]

Since I was a little worn out from yesterday, I decided to run around and buy everything I needed so I will already have everything ready and waiting when I am working on it. I got everything I needed except yes, the motor mounts are an issue. I figured I would need a different bracket that comes from the block down to the mount, but you are saying I actually need a different frame riser eh?

Hey "rust!!whatrust?" (or anyone else) you said you are currently doing the opposite, would you part with those mounting parts since you don't need them? I will pay. Thanks... Oh, please don't delete this post, I will contribute to this site tonight too, so hopefully it is OK for me to post that kind of thing.
This site is invaluable!

When I picked up the new dist cap, it didn't have the integrated coil, but it was the big diameter HEI one for sure, which also reaffirms the coil is supposed to be external. My problem is that I just don't like the way it looks. I had a '79 Stepside last year with a 250 and the distributor was set up just like a 350 with the coil in the cap, and I just think that is a little cleaner so I am probably going to take this cap and wires back and get replacements for a '79, the part # is the same online for the distributor itself, so it should sit on top just the same, but funny... they sold me a 30-1692 hmm... but I bet it will be fine. I've already got a couple of coils sitting around I can use too.

For your reference:

The part # for the '79 HEI distributor is 30-1697.
The part # for the '79 Integrated coil HEI distributor cap is: DR2004G
The part # for the '75 External coil HEI distributor cap is: DR902 (doesn't show online)

All parts were from Auto Zone, Orielly's didn't even list a part# at all!

Speaking of integrated, my '79 was an integrated head but this one is NOT, I think those are OK, but I wanted the flexibility of being able to put a header or a different intake on it later down the road.

Oh and I got one of those itty bitty 1bbl chrome air cleaners too hehe, can't get over that! Thanks for the replies guys and I appreciate any help locating those motor mount bracket/riser deals!

[LockDoc]

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2bits,

We will make everything legit. I have a pair of 6 cyl frame mounts you can have if you want to pay the postage to send them. That way you aren't buying anything..... PM me your addy and I will figure out the postage a couple of different ways.

LockDoc

[2bits]

Hey thanks locdoc! I just sent you the info. Thanks a bunch!

[2bits]

Looking at some pictures the brackets that bolt to the frame that hold the motor mounts look the same. The 350 has the motor mounts bolting right into the block, the 250 has the brackets I need that bolt to the block. Just clarifying

[1fast71]

y replace v8 with 6 cylinder only thing i can think of is gas but its a hotrod there for gas isint supposed matter

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by 1fast71

y replace v8 with 6 cylinder only thing i can think of is gas but its a hotrod there for gas isint supposed matter

I had a lot of sixes, and they definitely have advantages over a V8. Lots of torque and easy maintenance come to mind.

[2bits]

Gas matters!

[alschevy]

edited

[TP from Cntl PA]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I had a lot of sixes, and they definitely have advantages over a V8. Lots of torque and easy maintenance come to mind.

I went from a 454 to a 250 Personally, I rather have the low end and reliability rather than high end power which honestly, is of little use to my and my purpose in a truck. And yes, fuel economy is important when you want to drive it more than once a month.

I have a Clifford heated intake, Clifford truck headers, and a 500 CFM Edelbrock on mine, and I am actually impressed at the power the little 250 has, and does good on gas while doing it.

I'd have prefered a 292, but couldn't find one that was decent(Didn't have any here at the house), and we have a bunch of 250's laying around so I popped on of those in. For it being a heavy 3/4 ton 4x4 with a way heavier than stock box stakebody, it scoots pretty good IMO.

[tkeduk8r]

I almost miss my 250... its now sitting in da-burbs garage... GREAT motor, good torque and reasonable milage... also MUCH smoother than an 8 ever will be!!!
--Mike

[Boog]

I haven't tried looking up converters but doesn't the 6 cylinder use a higher stall torque converter than a V8? Since the engine will be out and all if it needs to be replaced now is the time.
The underhood wiring harness is a bit different between the V8 & L6. Not a real big deal but you may need to work yours over.
2 bit, I think your truck has the T350 trans and a 3.08 rear, right? If so the 6 ought to pull it pretty good and get some fuel mileage.
My son pulled his 250 and trans out and gave em away for $200 some years back. Smooth running and no smoke. I could have kicked his ash over that. I'm not a big fan of the 6's but cleaned up nice with a split exhaust system I like em.
Check out N to Billet's build thread if ya haven't already. He has a beautiful 6 in his truck.

[ks147j111928]

Here's a 292... oil bath air cleaner not pictured. Came with HEI when I got it, maybe could get one from a mid 70s to 80s? from the yard???



Dropped the head off for cleaning and 3 angle vavle job today!!

Dan

[2bits]

I'm not a hod rodder, I just want a cool cruizer, and that I can drive on my 45 min commute to work every day, this would sure beat driving my 86 Jimmy! Yuk! I used to drive my 74 Monte Carlo to work everyday and I was spending $450 a month in gas alone! I had a 76 Chevy Stepside with a 250 and it would spin the tires at will, and had plenty of power for me, and if I ever want to blow the doors off a V8, there's parts readily available to do so.

I just have two wires coming to the engine so that's no biggie, HEI and Starter... Temp and oil gauges are mechanical. Gotta love that...

I just replaced the tranny with a fresh one with probably 100 miles on it before I found out the engine was bad. It has a TH400 behind it. At least I know it will last forever! Two words I always hear about an inline 6 and a 400 tranny... Bulletproof...

Oh, and I did a search on www.car-part.com for the engine and that's where I found it. It searches salvage yards all over the country. I limited mine to my area, you might have the same luck, just go look at it with a skeptical eye and make sure they guarantee it. This car was driven into the yard and the engine was pulled to put in a V8 (perfect situation), yes, the block and freeze plugs all look very very fresh, so I think I got a good one here!

Better get back to work, I have made a list of stuff to do each night after work so I will be ready to drop it in on Saturday. I got the exhaust all lined up so I can have that complete in my garage, and the only question mark I still can think of is the accelerator linkage, but I am an ok fabricator so I will be able to get a little something together if I run into an issue.

[2bits]

Oh, I also saw a post somewhere that a guy had a problem with his HEI distributor getting in the way of the AC brackets, so I think I am just going to stick with the external coil for now, the distributor is the same so it I want to swap over later, I already have the coil, I'd just need to change the cap, and nothing is going to stop me from getting AC!

[2bits]

HELP! ! ! I need some engine mounts ASAP. I will have to pay overnight again, I don't care. The ones I just got are not what I need, I thought I confirmed that I didn't need the frame mounts.

My 250 has the newer style mounts on the block that use the one bolt slide through method:



but I need the older style mounts with three bolt holes:



Please anyone who has them, I am totally screwed for this weekend without them! I have people coming over and everything to put the motor in.

Thanks.

[LockDoc]

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2bits,

Sorry for the confusion on this. As stated in this earlier post mine were the 6 cyl frame mounts. If your truck had a V-8 in it I think you will still need those for the 6 cyl unless your V-8 was mounted on the 6 cyl frame mounts somehow. I know the V-8 and six cylinder are different because those mounts wouldn't work with my V-8, that's why I had them all painted up & couldn't use them.

LockDoc

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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2bits,

We will make everything legit. I have a pair of 6 cyl frame mounts you can have if you want to pay the postage to send them. That way you aren't buying anything..... PM me your addy and I will figure out the postage a couple of different ways.

LockDoc

[2bits]

I sent this note below with my Paypal. I know you had the best intentions tho, no sweat. I should have sent you a picture to be sure.

I compared what you sent me with the ones that are on there and they look exactly the same so I dunno about that, what was different on yours? Maybe it was something they changed by '71, since these were from '67?

If you have the Block mounts too I'll gladly pay you to ship them, I am just focused on being able to get the engine installed so I can go cruizin Sunday. Anyone else have any too? I know I'll never find them at a junk yard.

> > -----------------------------------
> > Payment Details
> > -----------------------------------
> > Transaction ID: 38158818VW890741B
> > Subject: Motor Mounts
> > Message: Hi Leon, Thanks for the goodies! I was looking at a picture and these should be the ones that go from the engine block to the motor mount if I am seeing correctly.

[2bits]

FYI

Originally Posted by 2bits

Looking at some pictures the brackets that bolt to the frame that hold the motor mounts look the same. The 350 has the motor mounts bolting right into the block, the 250 has the brackets I need that bolt to the block. Just clarifying

[LockDoc]

Those were the only 6 cyl parts I have.

LockDoc

Originally Posted by 2bits

If you have the Block mounts too I'll gladly pay you to ship them, I am just focused on being able to get the engine installed so I can go cruizin Sunday. Anyone else have any too? I know I'll never find them at a junk yard.

> > -----------------------------------
> > Payment Details
> > -----------------------------------
> > Transaction ID: 38158818VW890741B
> > Subject: Motor Mounts
> > Message: Hi Leon, Thanks for the goodies! I was looking at a picture and these should be the ones that go from the engine block to the motor mount if I am seeing correctly.