230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Praxiss454 · 10-18-2018, 02:44 PM

Hi folks,
1965 GMC 1000 with the original 230 L6. Pulled the engine to rebuild, and the machine shop tells me there is a crack by the #1 cylinder and I need a new head. They said the supplier they work with for remanufactured heads can't find any 230 heads but have some 250 and 292 heads. Said the remfg'ed 250 head including new springs, valves, guides, etc, (ready to install) is going to run about $500-600.

Is there any reason NOT to put on a 250 or 292 head onto my 230? Is there another source for a remfg'ed 230 head for about the same cost?

Gotta get back to the guy ASAP so hoping for some quick advice! Thanks all

Praxiss454 · 10-18-2018, 05:56 PM

Quick bump cuz I need to try to make a call by end of day today

**aerotruk63** · 10-18-2018, 06:38 PM

I put a 194 head on a 250. Larger vales , ported and polished. they interchange. 194 is closed chamber so it will up your compression.

Praxiss454 · 10-18-2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

I put a 194 head on a 250. Larger vales , ported and polished. they interchange. 194 is closed chamber so it will up your compression.

Thanks Aero, I think I'm going to pull the trigger. Called the shop this afternoon but just missed the guy I was working with, gonna call back first thing in the AM.

I feel like dropping this much money on a driver is a bit of a money pit, but in for a dime, in for a dollar.

chevy_mike · 10-19-2018, 12:07 PM

Yes, the 230, 250, 292 uses the same head. The 194 head will bolt on but has a smaller combustion chamber so it will raise the CR.

Praxiss454 · 10-19-2018, 01:13 PM

Thanks guys. Another question on my rebuild. My bellhousing is cracked by the last starter bolt hole, so that bolt can't be used. The casting number is 3815891. As I look to order a replacement, does it matter what the left side casting number says? Mine says GM 4. I see some online that say GM 10 or GM 11 (still 3815891). They look to be the same, just don't know what the GM 4 vs GM 10 represent.

**Chevy Fleetside** · 10-20-2018, 01:59 AM

I have a bell housing. If you can take a picture of yours we can see if they are the same. I will be at my space tomorrow. I take it you still have my #. I can contact you when I am there if you want,.

Praxiss454 · 10-20-2018, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

I have a bell housing. If you can take a picture of yours we can see if they are the same. I will be at my space tomorrow. I take it you still have my #. I can contact you when I am there if you want,.

Doh. I already ordered one on eBay this evening. $103 shipped, thought it was decent price not knowing anything. Most of the other ones were closer to $200 shipped. Casting number matched, looked like a fit.

Yep, still have your #

**Chevy Fleetside** · 10-20-2018, 02:45 AM

The one I have is probably not right . The hole from the fork is on the right side.

61K10 · 10-20-2018, 04:26 PM

if on the right side it's for a hyd clutch

jdl71 · 10-20-2018, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxiss454

Doh. I already ordered one on eBay this evening. $103 shipped, thought it was decent price not knowing anything. Most of the other ones were closer to $200 shipped. Casting number matched, looked like a fit.

Yep, still have your #

That seems like a very good price shipped, those things have to weigh 20lbs or more.

RichardJ · 10-24-2018, 05:00 PM

You should get a copy of Leo Santucci's 6 Cyl Chevy book

The 194 head is a good idea, only with the extra work aerotruk63 mentioned.

If the bell is damaged only in the starter bolt area, you may want to consider using a bolt-up starter motor. Some blocks are already drilled for a conventional bolt-up starter.

Santucci's book includes a template you can use to drill your block. Scan the page or trace the template.

10-18-2018, 05:56 PM	#2
Praxiss454 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 519	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? Quick bump cuz I need to try to make a call by end of day today __________________ 1965 GMC 1000 SWB Fleetside L6 230 - SOLD Thanks everyone for the help over the years.

10-18-2018, 06:38 PM	#3
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,627	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? I put a 194 head on a 250. Larger vales , ported and polished. they interchange. 194 is closed chamber so it will up your compression. __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1

10-19-2018, 12:07 PM	#5
chevy_mike Never Ending Projects Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,836	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? Yes, the 230, 250, 292 uses the same head. The 194 head will bolt on but has a smaller combustion chamber so it will raise the CR. __________________ . 1965 C10 Panel, Tiki Express http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=506580 SOLD 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often...

10-19-2018, 01:13 PM	#6
Praxiss454 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 519	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? Thanks guys. Another question on my rebuild. My bellhousing is cracked by the last starter bolt hole, so that bolt can't be used. The casting number is 3815891. As I look to order a replacement, does it matter what the left side casting number says? Mine says GM 4. I see some online that say GM 10 or GM 11 (still 3815891). They look to be the same, just don't know what the GM 4 vs GM 10 represent. __________________ 1965 GMC 1000 SWB Fleetside L6 230 - SOLD Thanks everyone for the help over the years.

10-20-2018, 01:59 AM	#7
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? I have a bell housing. If you can take a picture of yours we can see if they are the same. I will be at my space tomorrow. I take it you still have my #. I can contact you when I am there if you want,. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

10-18-2018, 02:44 PM	#1
Praxiss454 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 519	230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? Hi folks, 1965 GMC 1000 with the original 230 L6. Pulled the engine to rebuild, and the machine shop tells me there is a crack by the #1 cylinder and I need a new head. They said the supplier they work with for remanufactured heads can't find any 230 heads but have some 250 and 292 heads. Said the remfg'ed 250 head including new springs, valves, guides, etc, (ready to install) is going to run about $500-600. Is there any reason NOT to put on a 250 or 292 head onto my 230? Is there another source for a remfg'ed 230 head for about the same cost? Gotta get back to the guy ASAP so hoping for some quick advice! Thanks all __________________ 1965 GMC 1000 SWB Fleetside L6 230 - SOLD Thanks everyone for the help over the years.

10-20-2018, 02:45 AM	#9
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? The one I have is probably not right . The hole from the fork is on the right side. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

10-20-2018, 04:26 PM	#10
61K10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: pleasant valley--placerville ca Posts: 3,039	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? if on the right side it's for a hyd clutch __________________ 1961 chevy K10 my build is------------61K10 build

10-24-2018, 05:00 PM	#12
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,470	Re: 230 head has crack, can I use a 250 or 292 head? You should get a copy of Leo Santucci's 6 Cyl Chevy book The 194 head is a good idea, only with the extra work aerotruk63 mentioned. If the bell is damaged only in the starter bolt area, you may want to consider using a bolt-up starter motor. Some blocks are already drilled for a conventional bolt-up starter. Santucci's book includes a template you can use to drill your block. Scan the page or trace the template. __________________ '67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC Last edited by RichardJ; 10-24-2018 at 05:20 PM.

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