250 Carb, Intake and Exhaust

[bubbasimms]

I am looking for suggestions on exhaust, intake and carb for my 69 stepside. The engine is a stock rebuild with a stock style cam and the cylinders were bored during the rebuild. I am going with HEI or Petronix. It has power brakes, power steering and eventually A/C, and I am keeping the stock 3 on the tree. I have a Muncie 3 spd overdrive that I may put in later. I live in SW Missouri where it doesn't get too cold for too long. I wouldn't drive it during the winter much anyway so not too concerned with the intake heating. I am more interested in reliability and driveability. I wouldn't mind a bit more power if didn't come with any issues.

Sooo, my question is should I stick to the stock stuff or throw on some aftermarket parts? Anyone have experience taking a more or less stock 250 and adding the goodies? Does it really make a difference on a driver with an otherwise stock engine? Will I suffer from tuning, idle or driveability issues?

[72c20customcamper]

Check out Clifford performance. He has some nice stuff

[cashforclunkers]

I had a worn out 250 inline in my 68 impala in highschool. It was a boat. the biggest performance increase I ever made to it and just overall made it 10 times better was fitting a nv3500 5 spd to the back of it from an s10. The closer gears and overdrive made the car a lot better at accelerating and mpg. Like a ton. It would burn rubber through 1st and chirp 2nd.

But I definitely understand keeping the original gearbox. Cool truck!

[68Stepbed]

https://www.shop.cliffordperformance...250-292_c4.htm

[bubbasimms]

Thanks for the links and the input thus far. A decent intake, some headers and a new carb will perk up an old small block a noticeable amount. My question is do these high dollar parts make any significant difference when added to a stock 250?

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by bubbasimms

Thanks for the links and the input thus far. A decent intake, some headers and a new carb will perk up an old small block a noticeable amount. My question is do these high dollar parts make any significant difference when added to a stock 250?

They actually do make a difference. I once put just headers on a 250 and could tell the difference. I've read that with headers, cam, intake, and carb upgrade they can make for a fun engine to play around in. and still upset a few sbc owners.

[57Suburb]

This is what's going on mine. Also in the middle of doing a T5 swap. Will be going EFI with it as well. Going to be an all weekend cruiser, with AC to boot.

That's Clifford stuff in the photo btw.

[bubbasimms]

What's your plan for the efi?

[57Suburb]

I’ve been running a FiTech in my Camaro for the last 3years and love it. Just trying to decide which version to run on my 250. Leaning towards a 400 right now.

['68OrangeSunshine]

In my '68 C/10 Stepside I run a 292 L6 bored .030 over, with Badger pistons, Crane 260H cam, oversize 1.84'' Intake valves, inside. Outside I have a GM HEI remote coil type [ask for 1975 MY 292 cap and coil], Edelbrock 1404 500 CFM 4 bbl carb, on an Offy intake and Clifford long tube headers. I drive a Truck, so it isn't lowered or modified off stock stance. If you have any suspension mods, you may not want long tube headers. Langdons cast iron headers may work in that case. They are a ''Late Chevy L6'' iteration of the old stovebolt Fenton iron headers that the 235/261 guys loved. Tom Lowe at www.12bolt.com sells them now, as Tom Langdon retired.
Another L6-specific reference is www.inlinersinternational.org
It's another forum like ours that's all about inline engines [only]. I used to be a member. I was invited to a recent meeting of the AZ chapter, down in PHX, but they were mostly Ford guys. Go figure. Anyway, very knowledgeable people about the Straight 6 engines and willing to share their expertise.

[cruisinthe34]

I run Clifford intake and split manifold headers, with a Holley 390 4 barrel carburetor. Yes, It wakes it up substantially. Love my setup:

[bubbasimms]

That's a sweet setup....where did you go for the accessory brackets?

[cruisinthe34]

The accessory brackets are from ECI Hot Rod Brakes. Nicest I've found.

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/

Also run a valve cover from 12 bolt.com

Better link

[Ronzo]

Bubba, what a beautiful truck brother.

[bubbasimms]

Those brackets are great...think I'm gonna get those instead of the Davis speed setup. Ronzo you talking to me?