What spark plugs for 1963 230 engine

[dmjlambert]

Hi folks, I am gathering parts so I can clean up the engine, carburetor, distributor and coil, etc. and then I would like to see if this engine will run. The truck has been sitting in a yard since the early 90's and the spark plugs were removed. I haven't done anything serious yet except some external cleaning of mud dobber nests and cobwebs. One spark plug I found was laying in the engine compartment, it is an AC R44LTS6 and I don't know if it came out of this engine. How do I figure out what spark plugs to get? The hole where the spark plug goes has a narrow opening that would accommodate a spark plug with 5/8" hex nut, but I see some listings on O'Reilly Auto Parts and Amazon where the "confirmed fits 1963 C10" show the larger spark plug, I assume that is 13/16 nut. I cleaned the threads on the old unknown spark plug with a wire brush and put some oil on the threads of the engine and installed the spark plug into each of the holes in turn to clean up the threads on the engine.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

That is the correct type of plug for that engine but I don't believe its the correct number. The parts store should have a listing on it.
Have you tried turning the engine over to see if it is not stuck. Setting that long & with the plugs out it is liable to be frozen.

George

[dmb]

wrong plug should be ac r44xls
https://www.carparts.com/details/Che...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[dmb]

you can go up to a 46 for a hotter plug, I think they came with a r46n but that is an old number

[dmjlambert]

Thanks. Can you help me figure out what engine I have? Is it a 1966 230?
The numbers are difficult to read, but here is what I think they say
Numbers from head 12 GM 6 B26 3872708
Numbers from block CON2 B36 3877178

[dmjlambert]

Serial number F0204CD

[dmb]

it is a 1966 year model 66 was the first year a 250 was available in a c10

[Dead Parrot]

My old Fix Your Chevrolet book from 63 shows the 230 taking an AC 46N with a .035 gap. Should be a flat seat plug with a washer. I think taper seat plugs started with HEI.

[Agv63]

Easiest way to tell if 230 or 250 is to remove fuel pump and turn engine. If you see 2 counterweights come past one on each side of the pump slot it is a 250. The 250 crank has more counterweights .

Adriaan.

[dmjlambert]

Great information, thanks for all your replies. I squirt some penetrating oil in the spark plug holes and letting it sit. I'm moving at a snail's pace, but I will get around to seeing if the engine turns and then get some spark plugs and other miscellaneous parts enough to see if it will start up and run. If it runs, then I'll dive into it deeper and give it some TLC.

[dmjlambert]

After doing some research on the web using suffix stamping CD and date B36 block date casting code it seems I have a 1966 230 engine probably out of a Chevelle donor originally with Powerglide and A.C. and 140 horsepower. A few weeks ago I sprayed some penetrating oil into the cylinders through the spark plug holes. Today I took the belt off and made sure the transmission is in neutral, and tried to turn the engine by the flywheel using a flywheel turning tool and it does not budge at all, completely frozen. So, I need to decide what to do. I might pull the engine and put it on a stand and tinker with it, it would be my first go at something like that.

I have a friend who says I should put an LS engine and 4L60E transmission in it and I like the idea, but I don't know how to shop for one of those and know what I'm getting. It would also be fine with me to get this engine and 3OTT transmission going or get another L6 that works. If I get an LS engine and auto transmission, I will swap the 3OTT steering column for a used or rebuilt truck automatic transmission steering column. My goal is to have a daily driver that I will use less than 5000 miles per year, and whatever I get I will want to put air conditioning in, probably an under-dash unit. I plan to put manual front disc brakes on it at stock height and 5 lug bolt pattern and truck rally wheels. I'm not into high horsepower and hot rodding, anything that would get me to the grocery store and restaurants with air conditioning is what I want.

It has a 12 bolt open differential with 3.73 gears and 55 1/2 inch width between the brake backing plates, so it seems to be from the 60's as expected. I can get 5 lug axle shafts for that like I did on my 1969 CST/10.

Opinions and guidance welcome.

[Agv63]

My 63 had a 250 , had a crank vibration, worn out journals when i got it but got worse eventually, I replaced it with a pontiac 455, as i had it with a switch pitch 400.
i love it but at times i miss the inline 6, i drove it alot more back then, and had many things to change with the 455.
With a sbc there will be less conversion but still some extra to do, a 283 works good with the trans and axle ratio, Ls will require bit more work.
I would think a 250 inline 6 would be fairly cheap and just an engine swap, no extra mods etc. Get it running and decide from there, make it drive and then see what to do and upgrades, the 6 can also make decent power with some hop up parts.

Cheers.
Adriaan.

[AcampoDave]

I would research the A/C part of the deal before making a decision. I did a vintage air sure fit kit on a small block chevy and it was pretty straight forward. I did however have to buy a beefier radiator. I'd want to know the price for a kit on a inline 6 vs a V/8 as I would hate to have any unexpected surprises down the road. For instance, what if you wanted to add power steering....easy to have AC and power steering on a V8...but a 6... well I dunno.

[crazyjeenyus]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Thanks. Can you help me figure out what engine I have? Is it a 1966 230?
The numbers are difficult to read, but here is what I think they say
Numbers from head 12 GM 6 B26 3872708
Numbers from block CON2 B36 3877178

Hi, this is unrelated to the post, but I noticed the oil leak from just below the rear side cover. My 292 I-6 is leaking at the exact same place. Is this common? Is a new side cover gasket the solution?

Thanks.

[dmjlambert]

In the case of my pictures that is just WD40 I sprayed on there to clean and make the numbers more visible. For your engine my limited knowledge makes me say gaskets are a good idea but also make sure your PCV system is working properly and not plugged up because that will cause oil leaks.