350 or inline 6???

[svenskey]

I was wondering which motor would be better to us in a 68 stepside project, a 350 fully rebuilt engine or a 250 inline 6 engine. Which is better in the long run???

[meyer4589]

I am doing a 68 step-side too, I'm keeping the inline 6 because of the cool factor. As far of which one would be better in the long run, probably the 350. More options of upgrades and availability of parts.

But nothing beats the look on peoples faces when you pull up and they ask whatcha got in there 350? and you say no inline 250 lol.

[svenskey]

That is pretty funny. I think thats what i am gonna go with also. But i was just looking for other opinions. thanks.

[81ShrtBox]

cant beat the wow factor of a free flowing,cammed up V8

[54belair]

OR, you could do as Im doing----

I wanted something a little unique, something with a little performance and maybe even a little economy.

Im taking an early 4.3 v6, changing the intake/carb., changing the cam, and changing the dist.--------now youve got performance similar to the old 283 power pack engine---and you have a high uniqueness factor at shows.

uses same motor mounts as v8, same bellhousings

If you want to get real crazy the v6 can put out some serious horsepower too.

check into it!!

[67CC]

Go with the six. There are performance parts for it. You could build it into a real torquer, go with a 5:13 rear or so, blow ppl. off the line and enjoy the looks when they see it's a six. 350 is a great engine, but everybody going with a 350 TH400 in everything on 4 wheels gets boring, in my opinion. So many other possibilities.

[GRX]

Judging from years of experience machining and building engines, I'd say the I-6 will give you more mileage in the end. It's a very durable design. Cannot remember how many - "I had one of those in my work truck and it lasted forever!" comments I get on the straight 6 when I open my hood at car shows.

[blkcorvair]

I-6! For sure

[VWBeamer]

I think a I-6 with a super charger or blower would be cool and different.

[truckster]

I've owned and driven both. The question is, what do YOU want? If you just want to impress people that you have something different, a straight 6 is hardly that different. Now a dual-turbo Mazda rotary, that would really be different.

If you want to have power, it's hard to beat a SBC 350 for a good combination of power and economy, and the engine can be built about as cheaply as any.

[Hubscrub]

Inlines will last dang near forever, and are soo freaking cool I regret ever pulling mine to install my 350 My next v-8 adventure will be different 283, 305(my monte will get it's rebuilt no 350 for it) or 327

[ETsC10]

I-6 gives huge amounts of grunt per cubic inch when built a tad.
And there's a lot of go-fast stuff available.

Fuel economy blended with power = the V-6. Basically, a 3/4 size V-8.
Scrounging the right parts for the perfect V-6 can be a hassle.
And expensive (Try affording valve covers for roller rockers, etc).

Chev 350 is easy, very affordable and also can get worth-while MPG.

What would I do?
Put in the 250 and start looking to build a Go-fast 292.

Guess there are as many answers as there are truck lovers!

[OJ1988]

Had a 250 with Clifford intake long tune headers hei, yanked it and replaced with stock 350.

Like others said it depends on what wou want and or need.

My inline would only muster 12 mpg. Wasn't fast, but sounded cool.
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[Shyguy]

I would go with the L6 if I had a choice between a 350 and a L6. It seems everyone has 350s.

We are presently building a '67 swb stepper and it will be a little unique. We are putting a 454 in it backed by a SM-465 with 373 rear gears. It will be my fun driver.

I have a stock '67 250 L6 with a SM-420 I hope to put in another truck in the distant future.

The way I look at it do whatever makes you smile!

[Matt67C10]

You can't beat the sound or the "wow" factor of the 250 I-6.

[vin63]

I would lean toward the L6...below are a couple of links for inspiration. The links detail a 194 to 292 conversion in a Nova - instead of going the typical SBC route.

http://63ChevyII.com/photos/gallerie...215/index.html

http://63chevyii.com/photos/gallerie...ery/2011_0830/

He's running an Offy 4bbl intake with a Holley 390, Langdon's cast dual exhaust manifold and push rod covers, and vintage Offy valve cover.

[capev86]

only I-6 that interests me is the 292, otherwise give me a v8. either way i want a stroker motor. no 283 or 327 for me!

[crazy longhorn]

If its a driver/cruiser, & might lean to the ole inline. However, if you want to hotrod that truck, there is no substitute for cubes, unless it MORE cubes It will take a bunch more money to build a bad azz hotrod inline, than it will to just build a mild 350.....just depends on what you want! have fun,crazyL

[capev86]

what he said....


v8's make good all around power (and more of it easier than a straight 6) but inline engines naturally make good low end power and are more efficient.

292 has a 4-1/8" stroke (even the 400sbc is only 3-3/4) and puts max torque to the pavement at 2000rpm. perfect for just tooling around and heavy towing needs.

[truckster]

I did a little research. It seems the stock 72 250CID inline six made a whopping 115 ft-lbs of torque. The basic Goodwrench low-buck 350 V8 makes 195 ft-lbs of torque.

I had a 250 in a 70 Chevy (that had thrown a rod in the 292 that was in it) and I can tell you it didn't have a whole lot of punch compared to my bare-bones 350 I have now. Fuel mileage was actually worse, because I had to stay on the gas to make the thing go.

[OJ1988]

Actually my base model goodwrench 350 is rated at 270hp and 350ftlbs
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[GRX]

Originally Posted by Matt67C10

You can't beat the sound or the "wow" factor of the 250 I-6.

Especially if you are running headers on the I-6. They are always split 3/3. Which means three cylinders (or pulses) per tailpipe. Get compliments on the sound of mine all the time.

[Average Joe]

Bent 8 for me. I had a 250 in my 69 c10 lb for 8 years. I even went so far as to rebuild it with an Isky Supercam. I was never really happy with it. Perhaps with a intake and header it may have run better but the best mileage I ever got was 16 mpg puttin down flat freeway with a tailwind. A v8 is a no brainer for me. build it right and your mileage will be very close to that of a 6 with much more power.

[81ShrtBox]

I would pull a 5.3 or 6.0(engine, transmission & electronics) out of a donor vehicle and enjoy the benefit of another 40yrs of technology. Raise the hood for oil changes and to clean the engine compartment

Just my .02 but you cant beat the dependablity, performance and gas mileage

[rsavage]

I don't think that a 67-72 era truck with a 6 in it gets the same respect as one with an 8 unless it has some aftermarket speed parts on it such as intake, exhaust manifolds, etc.. I have a tendency to dismiss 6 bangers when at cruises and shows. Probably shouldn't, and maybe others don't. however, that being said, if your truck came stock with the 6 and you are doing a good restoration to stock, then you should keep the 6 and detail it to stock appearance.