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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 146
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Farm Truck Retrobuild
Hi all.
I'm the proud owner of an '81 C10 with the 250 inline six and a 3-speed manual transmission. That means the motor's got the double-hump valve cover, the integrated intake manifold and head, a Rochester duo-jet carb, and a ton of anti-smog plumbing. Fortunately in my state of residence this vehicle has aged out of the tailpipe sniffer test; we're safety inspection only for this truck. A mechanic friend has recommended that I pull the dumb integrated head and all the smog plumbing off that motor and replace it with the head and intake off of, say, a 292 inline six, and add the appropriate aftermarket progressive 2-barrel carb. (Actually he recommended that I yank the whole engine and replace it with a 350, but that's a story for another time. Suffice to say it's not happening any time soon.) So let's say I wanted to do the build with the 292 parts and a good aftermarket carb. What's the best way to go about this, and which carb would you choose? |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Edgewood, WA
Posts: 107
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Re: Farm Truck Retrobuild
I've got a soft spot for sixes myself. I'd recommend you just find yourself a good 292 to start with. You can build/massage it any way you'd like and still drive yours while you're building it.
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I may be old, but I still enjoy the feeling of the earth rotating beneath my wheels... |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North-central Virginia
Posts: 1,100
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Re: Farm Truck Retrobuild
I agree with the reply; buy a complete 292, and get it ready to drop in.
I've never driven a 250 or a 292, but I've put in quite a few miles behind a Ford 300. That Ford i6 is a blast to drive in a lightweight truck! It's not a powerhouse, but the torque curve pairs perfectly with a four-speed manual and 2.73 gears. I assume the GM i6's would be similar.
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1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome! |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 146
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Re: Farm Truck Retrobuild
Quote:
Sourcing the motor and executing a rebuild (I'm not going to drop a junkyard motor in my truck without at least going through it first) will be a bit of a project. So, questions: Do I want a late 292 or an early one? Do I want the stock single-barrel carb, or an aftermarket 2-barrel with an intake adapter? My main concern is driveability. I'm looking for smooth torque delivery all along the rev range. |
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Tags |
duojet, head, integrated, rochester |
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