What should I do to my old inline 6..?

[LandonL]

Alright, it's 43 years old, temperamental as hell, never been taken apart, and I don't know enough about engines to know what to do. Problem is, it's always wanting to die, (Yeah, the timing on it's fine) it's always wanting to choke down, unless your just driving down the road. When you come to a stop sign, it sometimes won't choke down, or it'll try but it's always something.. I'm guessing since it's 43 years old, never been torn apart to be rebuilt could be part of the problem. A friend told me 43 years of carbon build-up on the pistons probably isn't good. Say I took a leap of faith, pulled the engine myself, what would I ABSOLUTELY need to replace, and what would I need to clean for it to run smooth all the time. Also, after cleaning the engine I'd install electronic iginition & new exhaust. So anyone's opinion would be great! Thanks. Is it something I could do myself?

EDIT: The carb has been rebuilt within the last 6 months

[Sinister]

I would have rebuilt the carb before I pulled the motor. What do mean by "won't choke down"?

[Shyguy]

Same question I have asked myself.

I have a '67 swb stepper with a 250 I-6 from a 1970. It doesn't use oil and starts easy. What I am going to do is the normal tuneup stuff, it already has Hei. I think the carb needs some attention so I am going to rebuild it. I will run a tank of fresh gasoline with some Sea Foam through it.

Based on the tune up and carb rebuild results I will decide what to do next.

Danny

[LandonL]

I wrote that in kind of a hurry, sometimes I'll have the problem and sometimes I won't. For example, today I pulled into a gas station after driving it for 10 minutes, turned it off, filled up started it pulled out onto the road straight to a stoplight and it wanted to die down. Sometimes it'll do this even after it's been started for awhile. It'll be idling and after a good while it'll try and die. We had the carb rebuilt recently.

[60ratrod]

i would also start with rebuilding the carb, then a tune-up. after that i would also pour some atf down the carb while its running to help with the carbon build up. when atf burns the detergents in it help to clean the valves and combustion chambers. but you gotta do it slowly with the engine running at about 1500-2000 rpms. and don't be supprised of the smoke you will see.

[LandonL]

I'm thinking about doing a complete engine rebuild to prevent any problems in the far future, I wan't to keep the inline 6 to stay original and it's a good engine. But before I overhaul I'd much rather know if cleaning the pistons etc, and replacing smaller parts would help.

[laplander]

Originally Posted by LandonL

I'm thinking about doing a complete engine rebuild to prevent any problems in the far future, I wan't to keep the inline 6 to stay original and it's a good engine. But before I overhaul I'd much rather know if cleaning the pistons etc, and replacing smaller parts would help.

I'm a firm believer in replacing anything questionable, instead of just trying to get by. Tear it apart and start micing everything to see what is within spec and what is not. It will probably be cheaper just to buy a complete rebuild kit than to piecemeal the engine back together. Plus this will be the time for a performance valve job and a set of headers..........

[Captain Underdog]

A driveability issue like you describe doesn't indicate a rebuild is necessary. I'd take it to the guy who rebuilt your carb and see if he can set it up to run right for you.

Only after a thorough diagnosis, including compression test and blowby test, would I consider a rebuild.

[raycow]

Well, I'll have to take the opposite side on this.

Does the engine smoke, burn oil, or make any knocking noises? If no, run a compression test on it. If it passes that, you will gain nothing by tearing it down. All of your problems are external, like ignition or fuel.

Ray

[LandonL]

After listening to the noises of engine knocking on youtube, I've realized that was the noise MY engine has been making. What should I do, adjust the valves?

['72customdeluxe]

Knock means rebuild time. Not valves

[LandonL]

Well, considering no ones probably ever taken the block apart in it's 43 years of life it's probably time. Anyone know a place to buy a good 250 Kit?

[60ratrod]

ebay.

[LandonL]

Should I do the master kit?

['72customdeluxe]

You can use 307 small block pistons to bump the compression up

[LandonL]

The only other thing is I have virtually no knowledge on how to do most of the stuff, is it pretty much straightforward learning?

[60ratrod]

get yourself a good chilton's manual and follow it step by step. its fairly easy, just tedious with all of the specs that need to be met, like checking the bearing to thrust surface clearance on the crank for one

[LandonL]

Im not going out to the shop to check (1AM here) I have a Haynes manual already, you know if it covers the engine? Well, the rebuilding parts.

[Kayotic]

Hey LandonL,

Hello Lawrenceville, Ga.

The Haynes may cover some general engine services but wont get deep into a rebuild.

I like that you would rather stick with the I6, I think it's a sweet engine.

There is plenty of information available either searching the web or countless number of books.

It was mentioned above, unless there is an obvious knock, I would have started with the carb, fuel lines and tank first.

Have you considered a budget yet?

[tim21391]

summit has a rebuilt kit for a v8 for around 350 bucks im sure they have it for an I6.. comes with new pistons bearings and seals and what not

[71tahoe]

Look into a new distributor also. I had one that was worn out and the timing would jump around when trying to set it (as told to me by a reputable mechanic). Temperamental was a good way to describe how it drove.

[chopnchaneled]

Is there any smoke out of the exhaust just before it dies down? "and do you have a fuel filter on it any where?

[LandonL]

Yeah, it has a new fuel filter and fuel pump.

[chopnchaneled]

YEAH it smokes? if so what color?

By the way if your ever around Buford, give me a shout. I'm in
friendship ind. park @ 985 and friendship.

I just picked up a 68 stepside with inline 250 and 3 on the tree
had a problem with the points closing when i first got it.

[LandonL]

Sorry, I meant yeah as in yeah a new filter, no smoking.