Determining L6 Engine Size - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GruntyPants · 02-23-2006, 04:20 PM

Hello all,
I've been trying to nail down the exact size of the inline 6 in my truck and can only find from the block casting number that it is either a 230-250. The casting number is 3877178. Is there a way short of measuring the bore to see what I've got here?

Thanks

Longhorn Man · 02-23-2006, 04:43 PM

Do you know if it is original? They never put 230 motors in these rigs.

shifty · 02-23-2006, 04:54 PM

Well....some 67 w/6cyls did come with a 235 or I've seen threads at tne inliners site talking about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred T

Easiest way to i.d. the 250 series block is the spin-on oil filter mount, just ahead of the distributor. If it's a 230/250, the fuel pump is aft of the distributor, followed by the motor mount. If it's a 292 the motor mount is between the fuel pump and distributor. The casting number you need is just aft of the passenger side motor mount (250) or fuel pump (292), should have a large GM below it.

If it's a 235 series the casting number is either above or behind the starter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe H

Go back and see if you can find the block casting number. It will be on distributor side about middle of the block right below the lifter covers. The head casting number does not match anything in my books. Get the block date code as well.

Fred T · 02-23-2006, 09:50 PM

65 or 66 was the last year for the 230 in pickups. Best thing to do is check the date code, cast numbers above the starter. The line will have the conveyer number CON2 which means nothing to us. Followed by the date code like D18 7. This is month starting with A=Jan, date, last digit of year. D18 7 would have been cast April 18, 1967 or 1977 or 1987. I know this doesn't help much. If you have the serial number, someone might be able to look it up for you. I don't have a code book for the serials.

If you're going to rebuild, I wouldn't consider the 230. The 250 is a far better engine. I would be looking for a 292, the tall deck block, with a lot more power.

GruntyPants · 02-24-2006, 12:50 PM

Thanks for the info guys... according to Shifty's information, it looks to be a 235, since the casting info is right above the starter. I don't have any real good information whether this is the original engine or not. I did just notice that the transmission crossmember is missing, so maybe that happened during a swap, or someone just needed one while it was sitting around. It's really no big deal, I've got a 327 core that I'll build up for it at some point, but the 6 runs pretty good so far as-is. I do wish it were a 292... I've got a John Deere turbo unit that needs an interesting home....

shifty · 02-24-2006, 02:48 PM

I think that info is always above the starter on the 230/235/250. Give us the number above the starter and we can break down the code to tell you what size it is, ok? It should be a series of letters and numbers.

lilred67 · 02-24-2006, 03:06 PM

wasn't a 235 a stovebolt??????they used them in the 50's.they are a completely different animal than a 230,250,or 292.

shifty · 02-24-2006, 03:23 PM

Not sure, all my info above was retrieved from the inliners.org website.

Longhorn Man · 02-24-2006, 03:40 PM

Your missing crossmember is supposed to be like that. Looks crazy, but that's mounted the right way.

Fred T · 02-24-2006, 09:56 PM

235 went away in 63, when they introduced the 230 for trucks. Completely different block. The 235 was longer, wider and heavier than the new engine.

The newer series engine has a valve cover that in indented between every cylinder on the driver's side. The 235 valve cover is straight down both sides except for the 4 hold-down bolts. The engine in your photos is either a 230 or 250. If it's the one that came in the truck it's a 250.

Here's a pic of a 235

GruntyPants · 02-24-2006, 10:48 PM

Wow, thanks guys... I just finished taking out the windshield and sanding the dash. I've got the glass guy coming out next week to get her water-tight. Drove her through the subdivision without a windshield... that really sucked, but it was fun to finally drive it. I'll be hauling things with it soon.
I'll have to really get the block cleaned off better to get the rest of the numbers.. I tried to rub chalk across them but could only get a partial. I'll get them posted as soon as I can.

GruntyPants · 02-24-2006, 10:52 PM

Longhorn Man, I'll have to take your word for it, but it kind of makes sense since the engine is supported both front and rear, and the tranny is super short. I could see the mounting holes on the tranny and was sure I was missing something. Thanks again, I'm super happy to support this board with the great help I've gotten.

pritch · 02-25-2006, 02:46 PM

I got a 230 in mine-for now-I don't win many races, but I get 20 mpg.

64_C10 · 03-05-2011, 07:15 PM

Are you still running the 230? If so I wanted to ask what tranny you are using and the year of your truck.

PanelDeland · 03-05-2011, 09:41 PM

64 C10,I doubt you get an answer.You have found a 5 year old post.
Resurection section.

68 IRON · 03-07-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

64 C10,I doubt you get an answer.You have found a 5 year old post.
Resurection section.

Ya, I got sucked also. I was gonna say I have a 68 with a 230 in it. The bill of sale came with the truck and all maintenance records up to the mid 80's I believe. It says 230 cid special order. No mention on the SPID though.

**Zeke's Garage** · 03-07-2011, 06:38 PM

Ha! That was one of my first posts when I first signed up under 'GruntyPants'.

02-23-2006, 04:20 PM	#1
GruntyPants Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kennesaw GA Posts: 95	Determining L6 Engine Size Hello all, I've been trying to nail down the exact size of the inline 6 in my truck and can only find from the block casting number that it is either a 230-250. The casting number is 3877178. Is there a way short of measuring the bore to see what I've got here? Thanks __________________ -- Shawn '67 Short Step '70 Short Wide

02-23-2006, 04:43 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Do you know if it is original? They never put 230 motors in these rigs.

02-23-2006, 09:50 PM	#4
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size 65 or 66 was the last year for the 230 in pickups. Best thing to do is check the date code, cast numbers above the starter. The line will have the conveyer number CON2 which means nothing to us. Followed by the date code like D18 7. This is month starting with A=Jan, date, last digit of year. D18 7 would have been cast April 18, 1967 or 1977 or 1987. I know this doesn't help much. If you have the serial number, someone might be able to look it up for you. I don't have a code book for the serials. If you're going to rebuild, I wouldn't consider the 230. The 250 is a far better engine. I would be looking for a 292, the tall deck block, with a lot more power. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

02-24-2006, 12:50 PM	#5
GruntyPants Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kennesaw GA Posts: 95	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Thanks for the info guys... according to Shifty's information, it looks to be a 235, since the casting info is right above the starter. I don't have any real good information whether this is the original engine or not. I did just notice that the transmission crossmember is missing, so maybe that happened during a swap, or someone just needed one while it was sitting around. It's really no big deal, I've got a 327 core that I'll build up for it at some point, but the 6 runs pretty good so far as-is. I do wish it were a 292... I've got a John Deere turbo unit that needs an interesting home.... __________________ -- Shawn '67 Short Step '70 Short Wide

02-24-2006, 02:48 PM	#6
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size I think that info is always above the starter on the 230/235/250. Give us the number above the starter and we can break down the code to tell you what size it is, ok? It should be a series of letters and numbers. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

02-24-2006, 03:06 PM	#7
lilred67 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: weatherford,texas Posts: 1,003	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size wasn't a 235 a stovebolt??????they used them in the 50's.they are a completely different animal than a 230,250,or 292.

02-24-2006, 03:23 PM	#8
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Not sure, all my info above was retrieved from the inliners.org website. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

02-24-2006, 03:40 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Your missing crossmember is supposed to be like that. Looks crazy, but that's mounted the right way.

02-24-2006, 09:56 PM	#10
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size 235 went away in 63, when they introduced the 230 for trucks. Completely different block. The 235 was longer, wider and heavier than the new engine. The newer series engine has a valve cover that in indented between every cylinder on the driver's side. The 235 valve cover is straight down both sides except for the 4 hold-down bolts. The engine in your photos is either a 230 or 250. If it's the one that came in the truck it's a 250. Here's a pic of a 235 __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

02-24-2006, 10:48 PM	#11
GruntyPants Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kennesaw GA Posts: 95	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Wow, thanks guys... I just finished taking out the windshield and sanding the dash. I've got the glass guy coming out next week to get her water-tight. Drove her through the subdivision without a windshield... that really sucked, but it was fun to finally drive it. I'll be hauling things with it soon. I'll have to really get the block cleaned off better to get the rest of the numbers.. I tried to rub chalk across them but could only get a partial. I'll get them posted as soon as I can. __________________ -- Shawn '67 Short Step '70 Short Wide

02-24-2006, 10:52 PM	#12
GruntyPants Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kennesaw GA Posts: 95	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Longhorn Man, I'll have to take your word for it, but it kind of makes sense since the engine is supported both front and rear, and the tranny is super short. I could see the mounting holes on the tranny and was sure I was missing something. Thanks again, I'm super happy to support this board with the great help I've gotten. __________________ -- Shawn '67 Short Step '70 Short Wide

02-25-2006, 02:46 PM	#13
pritch Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hoytsville, Utah Posts: 3,365	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size I got a 230 in mine-for now-I don't win many races, but I get 20 mpg. __________________ '68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green

03-05-2011, 07:15 PM	#14
64_C10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Santa Fe, Texas Posts: 24	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Are you still running the 230? If so I wanted to ask what tranny you are using and the year of your truck.

03-05-2011, 09:41 PM	#15
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size 64 C10,I doubt you get an answer.You have found a 5 year old post. Resurection section. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

03-07-2011, 06:38 PM	#17
Zeke's Garage Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 288	Re: Determining L6 Engine Size Ha! That was one of my first posts when I first signed up under 'GruntyPants'.



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