235 or v8

[steve'62]

Having trouble trying to decide to keep it original or go v8. Also been having issues keeping it running right which makes me lean towards a v8, at the same time may be nice to keep it original. What do you guys think?

[steve'62]

here is a current pic of what I am working with

[jimmydean]

I like a well dressed 6 for something original, but not the norm feel. V8's are a dime a dozen, but parts are cheap. I voted for the 6.

[Revoh]

I guess it would depend on what's wrong with it. They're usually not too hard to keep running pretty well. V8's are nice and faster and all, but that's a pretty drastic solution if you just need spark plugs or some little adjustment or something.

[61_FL_Apache]

I have had both and they are equally cool. I have a V8 now and would not give that up for a 6.

It all depends on what your going for.

[lakeroadster]

I love the power and sound of a hot rodded V-8

but.....

I love the look of a hot rodded straight 6

[steve'62]

would be nice to have the power!

And as far as the 235 goes I think I have a carb/fuel issue, keeps fouling plugs running rich, something is up with #6. Had it runing great for a while, didnt start it for a few weeks and it hasnt ran right since. 145 compression across all 6 cylinders. Just trying to figure out whether or not to dump more money into this or go for the 8. May be a little out of my league to do myself though

[Clyde65]

I say V8 but, I would like to see your truck first, if it is a mostly original, then I would keep the I6.

[monolith]

I'm a sucker for the I6's

[Frizzle Fry]

I voted 235 (even tough our trucks had 230's not 235's). Get an HEI and do a little tune-up and she'll come to life. I am keeping the 230 in my 64. Might even build a 292 for it at some point. And I have two complete SBC's ready to go sitting in my shop... I6's are cool and just keep on going.

[markeb01]

I like both the V8 and the six. My first three cars were Chevy sixes (46 sedan, 47 coupe, and 54 sedan) so I spent my youth becoming familiar with them. I enjoy the sound and simplicity of the early six. In my early years I always wanted to build a six with a 4 barrel, headers and a cam, along with finned valve and side covers. It never happened.

But as a teenager I also longed for a 283 or 327. On my first freshman day of high school, a kid 4 years older than me made a high speed pass down the side of the school in his V8 powered 54 Chevy 2 door Bel Air sedan. It had a Corvette engine with 2 four barrels and a full race cam. He was a complete idiot, but at the time I though it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. One of my fondest memories occurred a few years later when I took my own 54 Chevy on its maiden voyage around the block with a 283 I just swapped in. It was magical.

Being considerably older now, I have an appreciation for the ruggedness and simplicity of the inline six. Nice examples really stand out at a local car show because very few are seen.

If I were facing your decision right now, the answer would depend on how the truck will be used. If it will be used to putter around town, I’d keep the six. If it’s going to be a daily driver/freeway commuter I’d go for a V8. Parts for a small block Chevy are more plentiful and cheaper, and it’s much cheaper and easier to build either horsepower or gas mileage with the V8.

I always got better mileage out of my V8’s than my sixes, because I drove the six with the pedal on the floor all the time to get up to speed faster. The V8’s never had to work that hard. Since V8’s are like belly buttons (for good reason) I voted for the six.

[steve'62]

I originally bought the truck to commute to work and back, as my work is about 5 miles away. That was one year ago and havent driven it there yet. Every time I start one thing it leads to something else, or i find something else to do to it. More or less it will be for local driving and "putting" around. Mark, thanks for the insight, its much appreciated. I also began this withthe idea of upgrading the carb, and dual exhaust manifold, and finned covers. Still on the fence and I appreciate all the responses guys. Here is a couple pics clyde, I am leaning towards an old school look, but not "laying the frame". Recently had a new windshield installed, and played with some baby blue paint trying to determine what color I want it.

[awbrown]

I could see it both ways .. I have a 350 (I think) in both of my 63 chevy trucks .. But I have a hotrodded 6 in my 48 chevy car ... It is a 261 bored and stroked with a small cam and 3 1 bbl carbs ,fenton header and an hei...
I have not driven it on the street yet , but am sure it will be very streetable .. I do change the 6's over to a full flow filtering instead of the 10 percent factory filter ,and mount a spin on adapter to the fender well...
You cant beat a hotrodded 6 for torque it will pull like a 454 , but only to 4500 because the head breathes so poorly... Granted it will take twice or more build it as opposed to an 8.. . .. but I come across a lot of old 6 stuff on ebay and you should be able to rebuild it cost effectively if you shop the parts ..

[steve'62]

awbrown, enlighten me with the fender well spin on filter....

[awbrown]

I think I have pictures of it on my computer somewhere,I also know that I have seen them in another article online ,but it is as simple as this .. on the block you have a passage that the oil pump tube plumbs into .. it is a stepped passage .. I can not remember what size it is but a small cup lug will press into it to the step.. you then drill a hole above the plug and one below the plug to the outside of the block and thread them 3/8 pipe .. the passage from the bottom will feed the filter , the passage on the top will feed the engine filtered oil from the filter .. this is how you get 100 percent filtered oil on an old stovebolt ... some engines had full flow, late 261's and a few others , the guys on the stovebolt forum can tell ya or it is easy to find online ...I will see if I can find some pics of it ...

[brap999]

I was in the same boat. I have always built 8's (pontiacs specifically), but when I got my truck it had a 230, and I decided to stick with it. It's been fun building something different.

With just a basic tune up, HEI distributor, plugs, wires, rebuilt carb, exhaust, the truck runs like a champ. Certainly not the fastest thing on the road, but it could quite possible be the most reliable!

So in short, i vote the 235

[steve'62]

wow voting is close!

[mister twister]

Originally Posted by steve'62

would be nice to have the power!

And as far as the 235 goes I think I have a carb/fuel issue, keeps fouling plugs running rich, something is up with #6. Had it runing great for a while, didnt start it for a few weeks and it hasnt ran right since. 145 compression across all 6 cylinders. Just trying to figure out whether or not to dump more money into this or go for the 8. May be a little out of my league to do myself though

maybe just your needle and seat is sticking? try tapping on it. i bought a carb rebuilt kit from advanced auto for my 62 235, think it was around 20 bux. They are pretty simple carbs to work on..

[jchav62]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

I voted 235 (even tough our trucks had 230's not 235's). Get an HEI and do a little tune-up and she'll come to life. I am keeping the 230 in my 64. Might even build a 292 for it at some point. And I have two complete SBC's ready to go sitting in my shop... I6's are cool and just keep on going.

Actually, 235's were still the six cylinder option from 60-62.
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[bobcostas]

Nice wide whites!

are they Diamondback or Coker?

I vote for the i-6.
I have a v8 and wish almost every day i had the cool originality of the 6cyl.

But i don't have an original v8, so I have neither, haha.

But then again, I love to hear my beastly 400 roar.

[Shaky]

I voted "six" just 'cuz I like 'em. I can understand the logical arguments for a V8 though...

[Clyde65]

Thanks Steve, I like your truck! in the style I see it in right now, I6 all the way

[steve'62]

Bob- Thank, they are coker....were'nt cheap!lol
clyde.......looks like I am leaning hard towards the I6

Thanks guys, I have been debating this for a while now and need to make a decision and move forward with it!

[steve'62]

twister, I am thinking If I do this, I am gonna ditch the single barrel, recently rebuilt it, just doesnt seem worth it when there are alot better options out there!

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

I like them both.
Either way I could not leave them stock!
Being the Hot Rodder I am......
I would lead more towards to a V8.
Not that I don't like I6's!
Shoot Fire... I would love to have a Chrysler Slant 6!
The Slant 6 is the most indestructable engine known to man!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Kl9MBr15o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpSu4O_SzVk

Now what flavor of V8 do you have in mind?

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