3OTT - Inline 6 thoughts

[bhayes1]

The more I learn about these trucks the more I desire to have something simple and original. Maybe because my Dad had a 3OTT truck and I learned to drive a manual that way but for whatever reason I (think) I would like to go back that route. My current project has a 350 / th350 and I really enjoy it. I understand a lot of people swapping out the old 6cyl for more power and automatics especially since SBC stuff is easy to find and reasonable priced. However, because it was rare ~20 something years ago to sit behind the wheel of a 3OTT truck I think it would bring me a lot more pleasure to watch my kids and their friends trying to figure out what the heck I am doing as I run through the gears on the column and one day teach them to drive the truck.

So I am thinking of getting rid of my K2500 and searching for something original with either a 250 or a 292 (i know hard to find) with a 3 speed column shift, 2WD, LWB truck. From what I have read it seems like the 250 is just fine for the purpose I would ever use it for: embarrassing my wife, driving it once or twice a week a few miles for pleasure. Are parts still available for maintenance? Good or bad idea overall? And no, having both isn't an option.

[LockDoc]

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Mine was a 4 speed but I love my 6 banger. It's fun to drive and starts every time no matter what the weather is. I upgraded it to an HEI distributor and S-10 5 speed overdrive trans and that makes it even more fun to drive.

Here is a couple of pictures before the upgrades.

LockDoc

[robs71]

My son is 18 and drives a 68 short bed daily..90,000 miles with a 3 on the tree..powered buy the 250 inline six..he loves it and prefers driving it over our other vehicles.I have a panel truck which has the same combo with less miles on it and like LocDoc I installed an HEI distributor.Both these trucks run great..as far as parts most anything can be found on this forum if you can't find it locally through parts stores or aftermarket vendors..I say go for it and have some fun.......and if you find a decent truck with this combo(250/ 3 speed manual) they usually were not used for hauling heavy loads unlike the 292 work horse so chances are you might get many more years of use without spending a lot off money.

[71BUCKET]

I liked mine before I tore it down for LS build. Think next truck I do I am leaving it 6cyc with column shift

[LongBox]

Agree 100% on the simplicity. If I had a six 3OTT, I'd think about a split exhaust, if only for the sweet bark out the exhaust when you hit it.

There is lots of speed equip. out there for inline 6s, so you can have simplicity, and more power (than stock) too.

[Eastonspeedworks]

My truck used to have a 292 with a 4 speed and I absolutely loved driving the truck I put 15-20k miles on it until I had a run in with a flood and replaced it with my ls. Since I haven't driven the truck 1500 miles in 2 years. Something was definitely lost in the character of the truck. I'd take another one in a heartbeat if I had a chance.

[JimGreg72]

Even though I decided to swap out the old inline 6 on my 72 in favor of a new 350, I'm staying with the old three on the tree. It just seems like the right thing to do. There is something about a three speed column shift that makes these old trucks fun to drive.

Moreover, My truck and I go way back. She's been a part of my life since 1975. I'm OK with the motor swap. The V8 will provide that needed boost in power that I've always wished she had. But changing from the column shift to an automatic would just be too much of a personality change. I'm afraid it just wouldn't feel like the same truck anymore. That would be like loosing a best friend. (Not gonna go there)

[JimGreg72]

Even though I decided to swap out the old inline 6 on my 72 in favor of a new 350, I'm staying with the old three on the tree. It just seems like the right thing to do. There is something about a three speed column shift that makes these old trucks fun to drive.

Moreover, My truck and I go way back. She's been a part of my life since 1975. I'm OK with the motor swap. The V8 will provide that needed boost in power that I've always wished she had. But changing from the column shift to an automatic would just be too much of a personality change. I'm afraid it just wouldn't feel like the same truck anymore. That would be like loosing a best friend. (Not gonna go there)

[CST10]

I have one with a big block and auto and another truck with the 250/3OTT. The 3OTT is more fun to drive.

[bhayes1]

This is tough because I don't see the truck I have come up for sale too often so its hard to let it go. I'm going to list it for an I don't want to get rid of it price and see what the interest level is.

[pritch]

Originally Posted by bhayes1

This is tough because I don't see the truck I have come up for sale too often so its hard to let it go. I'm going to list it for an I don't want to get rid of it price and see what the interest level is.

No law against havin' two!

[Grumpy old man]

The 3ott with an inline 6 is pretty much indestructible , when maintained correctly and I'd take one over any small block auto out there.

( too each their own run whatever turns you on )

Some of you know I've been collecting 292's and have a "few" stacked up and with some tweaking they will surprise more than a few small blocks at a traffic light , Now the 3ott isn't exactly a speed shift set up but the cool factor outweighs my need for speed on most days . Now a tweaked 292 tri power with a floor shifted rock chrusher followed up by a stock 12 bolt 3.73 posi really rocks as far as I'm concerned . A setup that some of the older guys can attest to that was cool back in the day , Winding up a tweaked 292 with that noisy Muncie four speed spinning that posi will put a grin on even the most devoted small block / LS fans face !

It's a drivers setup 2 arms and 2 legs required to drive it . your not just along for the ride .

Old skool is always cool !

[bhayes1]

Originally Posted by pritch

No law against havin' two!

Ohhh trust me I hear ya, but it's a choice I am forcing myself to make so I don't end up with 2 trucks that barely run (time & money) instead of 1 that I can focus on and make it the way I want it.

[Stephen717]

I know my truck had the 307 switched to a 250 l6 out of a 73 c10 before I got it, but what does everyone mean by 30tt?

[Jason Banks]

Three On The Tree

[bhayes1]

Originally Posted by Stephen717

I know my truck had the 307 switched to a 250 l6 out of a 73 c10 before I got it, but what does everyone mean by 30tt?

3OTT = Three on the tree or three speed column shift.

[1970 charlie]

Ever one should have a 3ott and a 5th under the seat. Is just me from back in the day in my part of the country or does any one else heard of this saying.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 1970 charlie

Ever one should have a 3ott and a 5th under the seat. Is just me from back in the day in my part of the country or does any one else heard of this saying.

My dad followed that saying religiously "back in the day"....

LockDoc

[whoa]

I'm still searching for a C10, and often come across I6 manuals. My 56 had that setup and I loved it, but gear ratios made driving distance tedious and not with amazing mpg. And my experience moving shifting from the column to floor made me prefer keeping things on the column. But then, I'm sure this had more to do with our less than proficient work in making the transfer.... back in the day.

That aside, I'd still rather keep it on the column to keep the floorboard free. It's also been suggested that fewer people can steal a column shift vehicle these days.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

... Winding up a tweaked 292 with that noisy Muncie four speed spinning that posi will put a grin on even the most devoted small block / LS fans face !

Brother, You know it!.

Old skool is always cool !

I just R & R'd all my valve springs, [after they started breaking mysteriously, once I got a proper HEI and tune up -- and was rockin' it]. Now it's like a new rebuild w/o breaking-in.
Only way to fly.
BTW the 292
L6 is 100 Lbs lighter than any iron SBC.
I was lucky, my '68 Stepside had 292/SM465 from the factory. I added an Eaton posi 3.73.
My Dad taught me to shift a manual on a '61 Mercedes 190B sedan with a 4-speed on the column. No granny gear either, you ran thru all 4. This was in stop-and-go urban LA, when SMOG was king.
I much prefer a floor shift if possible.