L6 250 or 292 or V6 262 (4.3 90º engine)

[masaki]

Hi....
I was talking with an old chevy owner (a friend of my friend...) and he talk to me about Chevrolet V6 262 (4.3L 90ª engine) so I check wikipedia to see more info, now I want to listen your opinion...

Wich is a better option? L6 250/292 or V6 4.3L V90º ? (all carburetor equiped)

I know, that most of people here will recomend me a V8 350 instead, but the gas cost in my country is a little high (US$4.30 per galon), and, If what I read in this forum is correct V8 305-307 performance is equall or worst than the 6 ciinders option (many people here say "305/307 are a good anchor...")

My truck original spec:
V8 350 (death) + SM426 (muncie) + NP transfer

[BigBlocksRule]

The V-6 has cross-flow heads (intake and exhaust on opposite sides) which helps a lot with scavenging. That's the biggest drawback of GM's straight 6 and why Fords always outpowered 'em.
The V-6 is basically a 350 with the rear two cylinders missing. They use the same pistons (NOT rods, they're different) and an odd-fire crank. Hydraulic roller cams are available for 'em. I have a '91 shortblock and pair of later model heart-shaped chamber Vortec heads and a carb intake, it'll find a home...someday.
Stick with the V-6, more power and aftermarket support.

[lilpoindexter]

I have a 250 straight 6 in my '78 C10. It's a fine little motor.

[71swb4x4]

The 292 is a brute. I love mine. That being said, you may see larger gains by going after the transmission before the engine. A well-built 700r4 with the right rearend gears will give you a bigger gain than swapping a 350 for a 6 cylinder.

[masaki]

Thanks for the opinion, but I need to replace the 350 because is death (the old owner destroyed and lost the engine long time ago) now I'm restoring the car, Here in my country I can buy some chevy engine options, I want V6 or L6 because I need an engine easy on gas (as I say before the fuel price here is a little hi)

I found a junk jard (ok, is not exactly what you now as a junk jard...) I found a lot of old american engine, L6 250, 292, v6 4.3, 305, 327, 350, (all of them need a rebuilt) and some other ford engine, so I'm about to decide wich is better option for me

until yesterday, I was thinking: l6 have more mileage than a v8, but after read some post in the forum, I'm not really sure about it (some people say L6 consume the same as a v8, is this really true?

in other way, thanks for the trany suggestion, can you talk me more about that? I have a muncie gear box (SM465) with a np205 transfer case and DANA44 in the front and unknown rear axle, what other configuration I can use to enhance the fuel mileage? (i want to use a 4x4 option)

[chevyman95]

I don't really have an opinion on this but cool to see a peruvian on the board. I lived in Arequipa for a while and have been through Lima many times. It is cool to see the occasional old chevy down there. Super expensive though.

You should put a tico motor into it.....jk

[masaki]

Hi, thanks for the post... yeah! a daewoo tico engine ( L3 0.8L) will be a good option for this truck, and the enginse
sound good as well hahaha...

greetings from Peru!

[masaki]

Hi, somebody can confirm this info?

Chevy small block V8 350 200hp @ ? - 285lb/ft @ ? 17.7km/gl - 19.3km/gl - 24.1km/gl
Chevy small block V8 305 140hp @ 4800 - 250lb/ft @ 3200 19.3Km/gl - 22.5Km/gl - 25.7km/gl
chevy small block V6 262 140hp @ 4000 - 225lb/ft @ 2000 24.1km/gl - 24.1Km/gl - 27.3Km/gl
Chevy straight 6 250 105hp @ 3400 - 190lb/ft @ 2000 20.2km/gl - 22.5km/gl - 27.3km/gl
Chevy straight 6 292 115hp @ 3400 - 215lb/ft @ 1600 19.0km/gl - 22.0km/gl - 24.0Km/gl

[BigBlocksRule]

Get the 350 if you can find a good rebuilder. Parts will be a lot more common and cheaper. Plus, you'll have all the power you need when you need it. IMHO, there's not going to be enough mileage difference to worry about. Run lower gears in the rearend to help with flat road driving, you have the transfer case to shift to low if you ever need the extra torque of different gearing.

[masaki]

the V8 350 mileage is really close to the v6 mileage? I really want a v8, but the fuel consumption make my worry about a v8 engine...

I suppose an injected v8 engine will be a good option, but, fuel injected V8 are rare here (in my country), ford engine are more common.

[larrystone]

Unless you can find a good used V-6 that does not need rebuilding with port FI the 350 will be cheaper for parts and the V-6 is going to be a dog in a 4wd.

In 1994 I ordered a new K1500, V-6 TBI, auto od, AC, snow plow prep, 3.73 gears and never took delivery. Just one test ride said this thing was way too underpowered.

In the states there are some high perf parts for the V-6 for they were used in 3/4 sized drag rails back in the day.

[masaki]

hi, thanx for the reply, I read other forums today, and there, some people say the same, "the V6 is very underpowered..." now I'm more confused to chose an engine, I don't want a hot rod or racing truck, but, I don't like a slow as hell ond, in other way, I'm a little scary about fuel mileage of a V8 (I have a friend with a chevelle 69 307 + powerglide and he say that engine is a fuel hungry)... but... I like the V8 engine sound... what I can dooo?

[BigBlocksRule]

Chevy's lack of a cross-flow head really hurts the inline 6's with regards to power.
A truck with an underpowered engine will burn more fuel than one with plenty of power.
Build the V-8, run a vacuum secondary carb with Vortec heads, have it wideband tuned and run an OD tranny and you'll get as good of mileage as you would have with the inliner.
When you have to hook onto something tough to pull, you'll be glad you have the extra power you need.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

The V-6 has cross-flow heads (intake and exhaust on opposite sides) which helps a lot with scavenging. That's the biggest drawback of GM's straight 6 and why Fords always outpowered 'em.

What Ford inline 6 has a crossflow head?

Ray

[BigBlocksRule]

Most of the Australian varaints had crossflow heads.

Shoot, I don't know, I'm just repeating what all the inliners have told me over the years!

[larrystone]

The V-6 is a great engine for a C-10 that is used like a car. But add just 700 pounds in the bed and all the fun is gone.

Four wheel must add 500 pounds to the empty weight so the V-6 is a no go unless you can find at set of 4.56 gears from a military model.

[bctom]

In BC Canada you almost never see a 6 cylinder in 4wd. The fuel advantage disappears as soon as you have to climb a hill, let alone tow anything. A '73 blazer must weigh at least 4000 lbs. A V6 will use at least as much fuel as 350 V8 in a truck that heavy. If your building on a budget the important thing is to get as much air to the motor as possible. Headers and low flow exhaust, low restriction air cleaner etc. Consider a two barrel carb. It won't give you maximum power out of your V8 but you won't have the secondaries opening up every time you have to get on the gas.

What is locally available for diesel engines that may fit in place of a gas motor? Any 6 cylinder diesels around that may fit? What kind of driving are you looking at doing, speeds, altitude, towing, etc? Your options are open if you are considering swap.

[masaki]

Well.. here in Peru I can only find japanese diesel engine, like the Toyota 13B (toyota coaster) or Nissan FD42 (nissan small truck) the other size avaiable are really big (engines from trailers truck)

the chevy 6.2 diesel are very rare here, the more comon chevy engines are: L6 250 (come from old C20 and opala) and L6 292 (some militar trucks 89-94), The V8 305 - 307 (usually from old cars, 67-84) is still avaiable, the V8 350 and V8 327 are more hard to find, but, they are still avaiable...

I want this truck to drive in the city (as my second car or weekend use, my daily car is the ford taurus), but some time I want to tow another cars and occasionally off road use...

[raycow]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

Most of the Australian varaints had crossflow heads.

Shoot, I don't know, I'm just repeating what all the inliners have told me over the years!

That could very well be true. I don't get to see any Australian engines here. I have read that they had a Mopar inline 6 which was way better than anything we ever had in the US.

Ray