V-8 vs 6 cylinder

[Rac65]

Like lots of people I swapped from inline 6 to v8 years ago. I now wish I hadn't. I would like to back to the 6 but didn't keep any of the parts. Anyone know of a good place to get a complete engine at a reasonable price? Thanks. ..RC.

[vince1]

Yeah, come up here for a ski vacation and you can have some free weight for the drive home. Put a camshaft, lifters and supplied seal kit in it and it will be good for many more thousands of miles.

I don't know why you'd want to change back though. Fuel economy won't be much if any better and power is way less.

[rustyrodknocker]

I would look for a whole truck. That will net you all the parts. I sold my 68 a few years ago cheap with a great 292. That would have been perfect for you. I want to keep the drivetrain but I can't hang on to everything.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Rac65

Like lots of people I swapped from inline 6 to v8 years ago. I now wish I hadn't. I would like to back to the 6 but didn't keep any of the parts. Anyone know of a good place to get a complete engine at a reasonable price? Thanks. ..RC.

Check with some of the Chevy II/Nova groups. There should be several surplus L6 from owners who are looking to sell cheap or give away from V8 swaps.

[Rac65]

Thanks guys. Rustyrodknocker .that would have been perfect, my original engine was a 292. I'm not really concerned with fuel mileage. When I had the six I had headers and dual exhaust and I loved the way it sounded.

[VictoriaHardware]

Here's one

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/p...073331309.html

[Ken Cook]

I may be swapping to V8 in the next month or two. I’ll have a 230.
I’m near Lake Charles, La.

[Rac65]

Thanks Ken. I am in southeast Texas so you are not that far from me. Maybe we can work something out.

[AcampoDave]

Originally Posted by VictoriaHardware

Here's one

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/p...073331309.html

Are they really worth that kind of money?

[vince1]

Only if someone is foolish enough to pay it. Even if it did only have 60k miles on it the seals would still need changing.

A lot of them lay around in garages and eventually end up in the boneyard for metal recycling, such as will probably happen to mine.

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by rustyrodknocker

I would look for a whole truck. That will net you all the parts. I sold my 68 a few years ago cheap with a great 292. That would have been perfect for you. I want to keep the drivetrain but I can't hang on to everything.

agree 100% the engine won't be the toughest part, finding all the knick-knacks and doo-dads will be the tough part.. and a donor truck is perfect to see and hear it run before buying..

Originally Posted by vince1

Yeah, come up here for a ski vacation and you can have some free weight for the drive home. Put a camshaft, lifters and supplied seal kit in it and it will be good for many more thousands of miles.

I don't know why you'd want to change back though. Fuel economy won't be much if any better and power is way less.

well, as a matter of fact, the 292 out horsed the 283 according to the factory tag in my 65 c20.. and it most likely beats that small v8 in the torque category as well

[weim55]

Craigslist. Be patient and a good one will show from someone going with V8. Also common to see one coming out of 63-72 c series so you get accessories.Try a wanted ad here on the wanted classifieds.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[Short 3/4]

I swapped the 250 for a 292 in my '66 30 years ago and liked it so much that when I finally found my dream K truck I pulled a 327 out of it and put in that very same 292 (after a much needed rebuild). These big sixes are a sick obsession, But I know this is a safe place for me to talk about it.
Be aware of the unique pass side motor mount perch if you do find a 292. All the rest of the 6's use the same as a V8. They can be hard to find, and even more so for a 4x4 (ask me how I know) but they are out there if you're patient. Another reason to find a truck with it still in it. Final thing to know is that the engine mounting system changed between 66 and 67 if you are looking for a perch (the engines are all the same)
Good luck, and don't let anybody talk you out of your dream, it's your truck.
Tom

[Rac65]

Thanks Short 3/4. I wish I still had my 292 ,they are great engines. The only thing I have left is actually that passenger side motor perch. Maybe I will get lucky one day.

[Heater63]

don't forget Inliners.org for info and connections, especially if you want to do some hot rodding. Tom at 12bolt.com is a good source too.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by Short 3/4

These big sixes are a sick obsession, But I know this is a safe place for me to talk about it.

It is. We can talk opinions and facts. Here is an interesting test done in '67 with two C 20's, one with a 292, the other with a 327.

[Short 3/4]

Originally Posted by factorystock

It is. We can talk opinions and facts. Here is an interesting test done in '67 with two C 20's, one with a 292, the other with a 327.

Great stuff, Thanks for posting it. What was the magazine it was in?

[TJ's Chevy]

People here can talk down the straight 6's all they want, but there is a reason they dominated the trucking industry and to this day semi's still use them. Torque and longevity can be had with them that can't be with v8's.
Love my 292 that I built for power......and there's still room for a turbo.