HELP! I'm having second thoughts on current set up.

[68c10airstream]

CST10, I look at these trucks as packages that go hand in hand

6cylinder, 3oot, drum brakes ,smaller tires,

Ls, aod, disc brakes, larger tires.

If you beef up the 6 cyl, then the trans will be weak. Then you go faster and the brakes need improvement, Then you go faster in the turns and you want better handling.

Every time i drive my 68 c10 swb ls, aod, disc brakes, dual antisway bars, larger tires, i smile and don't desire to go back. The old school stock is the underlying basis of this forum in my mind and respect it as i had a truck like yours in high school. Thought it was great for what it was, as it was, but i love to modify things, fabricate things, so my current 68 satisfies this urge! Love your truck and the ball is in your court.

[Custom/Ten]

You gotta ditch that lame six and 3ott. Then post your air cleaner on the parts board for 25 bucks! As for what you replace it with that's not really important. No need to thank me for the advice, I just want me, I mean you to be happy!

[Dirt's72]

You've already lowered it. Might as well continue on. Drop it more, add ls motor, some bright paint and then get a tribal arm band tattoo. Big pimpin

[HeavyD]

Very nice truck! I have had my share of 6/3ott and honestly never enjoyed any of them, but thats just me. Ls swap is cool but with the stock look of yours I would build a 383/th350 or 200od and dress it up as a 327 with stock air cleaner etc. Just my opinion

[darkhorse970]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

Nice ride. Just ask yourself what you want. Keep in mind that the 6 is a great engine and will run virtually forever. Then go to a show and walk down a line of trucks. SBC's are great engines.so much so that they are the "bellybutton" of street rods. These trucks and many performance rides. In the end, you have to do what you will be happy with. Keep in mind that if you are looking for a true performance(or handling) machine, there are a lot of alternatives that are a lot lighter and easier to get that from.

I agree, this truck is so nice and original, I'd leave it as is. If you're serious about selling, shoot me a price.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by Dirt's72

You've already lowered it. Might as well continue on. Drop it more, add ls motor, some bright paint and then get a tribal arm band tattoo. Big pimpin

Lol. No tattoo. Lol

[72kool]

everybody else has givin alot of ideas and opinions, so i will just add this. i think it would be sweet and very fitting for the truck. i think it would satisfy the hunger for power. obviously there are alot of things to factor in but the general idea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7rCGda4Ab8

[DillonGMC]

I would consider the 250... check this out
Bobs 250 Chevy inline 6 DYNO pulls Straight six: https://youtu.be/1p3-cAJrLCw

[CST10]

Those are bad a@@. Now that may cure my hunger.

[Custom/Ten]

Originally Posted by CST10

Those are bad a@@. Now that may cure my hunger.

I agree! I made a joke earlier cause I don't know you and can't tell you what you want on your truck. My opinion is the same as those who said just do what YOU wanna do. That motor in the vid is awesome though IMO. If money is not a factor then I would get that. It may end up costing more than or the same as a crate motor but I think the strait sixes are the coolest motors out there with the only downside being power. You can get power out of them if your willing to build them though, as seen in the vid lol.

[2002yanks]

I went through the same thing this spring. I thought i wanted an ls in mine(looked at several complete trucks), but the more i thought about it i just couldnt take the 250 out. I love beeing different. every other one i see at shows has a small block in it. I always get asked when i am putting a 350 in it, and i tell them the 250 is staying. Most of the time i get but why. Plus the decal on my window says low n slow...lol

Well i decided to put that money into the 250. I bought an offenhauser 5416 intake, edelbrock 1404 500 cfm carb, and stovebolt cast headers. I also located a 194 head to run on it(ups compression to 9:1(from 8:1). Heads out to get checked for cracks, when it gets back i will install all this. not doing a cam at this time. maybe down the road.

If it was me i would hop the six up. You said you had others to feed your need for speed. Nothing wrong with a nice cruiser.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by 2002yanks

I went through the same thing this spring. I thought i wanted an ls in mine(looked at several complete trucks), but the more i thought about it i just couldnt take the 250 out. I love beeing different. every other one i see at shows has a small block in it. I always get asked when i am putting a 350 in it, and i tell them the 250 is staying. Most of the time i get but why. Plus the decal on my window says low n slow...lol

Well i decided to put that money into the 250. I bought an offenhauser 5416 intake, edelbrock 1404 500 cfm carb, and stovebolt cast headers. I also located a 194 head to run on it(ups compression to 9:1(from 8:1). Heads out to get checked for cracks, when it gets back i will install all this. not doing a cam at this time. maybe down the road.

If it was me i would hop the six up. You said you had others to feed your need for speed. Nothing wrong with a nice cruiser.

If you don't mind, once your done with the bolt on mod's. Let me know how you like them and if it's worth it. thanks.

[Heavymetl]

I drove my truck last year with the stock 250/TH350 combo and really enjoyed the simplicity and smoothness of the engine. So much so when it was time to "hot rod" the truck, my mantra was the ol saying "Do no harm (to the driveability)".

With the LS, EFI, 4L80E, and 4 wheel discs the truck drives better than ever and is smooth as glass cruising down the highway. The beauty of the turbo engine as well is it drives like a stock truck until you get into the boost. Then it's the stuff dreams are made of...

[50bomb]

Originally Posted by CST10

Yea, I thought about an LS swap and hold the original equipment in case I wanted to swap back.

I never had one in an oldies but if you did and Ls swap I am almost sure you will never look back. Will want one in every ride you own. Heard great things about them. I want to put a 5.3 vortec in my 64 c10

[Hubscrub]

Be careful with what you decide, I did this with my 71. It was a long bed, inline 250 and 3 on the three. I made it a swb and built a 350 for it installed a rebuilt 700r4. I drove for little while and missed the original way it was now it sits behind the garage. I thought that's what I wanted sold most of the parts too so, I'm looking for another probably long bed to build. I was on a road trip other day coming through Missouri and seen one just like what I started with I missed it so bad called myself an idiot. Lol just saying think about it and I like being different, I like power but I have other cars for that.

[faribran]

I have a similar truck. Mine was a 250 six with 3 ott. It drank gas like a wino, Ran out of power too soon, was not fun to drive. I pulled it and put in a 283 with 3 on tree with overdrive.. Much more fun to drive. I left outside basically stock.
I would suggest a modern drive train and leave outside same.
I really like your truck......

[cplcorndog]

Like stated above, it's your truck do what feels right man! I feel these truck are always meant to be tinkered on. Have fun either way.

[CST10]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

Be careful with what you decide, I did this with my 71. It was a long bed, inline 250 and 3 on the three. I made it a swb and built a 350 for it installed a rebuilt 700r4. I drove for little while and missed the original way it was now it sits behind the garage. I thought that's what I wanted sold most of the parts too so, I'm looking for another probably long bed to build. I was on a road trip other day coming through Missouri and seen one just like what I started with I missed it so bad called myself an idiot. Lol just saying think about it and I like being different, I like power but I have other cars for that.

Yea. That's what I'm scared of it modifying it and then regretting it later down the road.

[slomotion]

Like everyone has said, it's your ride, do what you want.
But, you asked what would we (I) do........You already have two hot rods, and the truck looks great, so I'd be proud to ride it as is. The sixes are great engines and will do the speed limit wherever you go. Dress out the six, and "wow" them at the shows and cruises.
You'll have "Six Appeal"!

[CST10]

Yea the more I think about it the more I think I'll regret swapping drive trains.

Think I'm leave the six as is for now but some future upgrades I can see.

Thanks everyone for chiming in.

Now, what upgrades should I do first. Talked to Tom Lowe today. He recommended start with intake, 390 cfm carb and stove bolts cast iron headers. Said it should make about 25hp/30-35tq more power. Said next would be head with lump ports and milled to a 70cc chamber which would add another 25-30.

Said if I wasn't happy after that it would be a cam swap but the other items would still be required. And that may push 250hp/300tq.

[2002yanks]

Originally Posted by CST10

If you don't mind, once your done with the bolt on mod's. Let me know how you like them and if it's worth it. thanks.

will do. just waiting on my head to start it(this weekend or during the week i hope). or if it takes to long i will just put the stuff on this one and swap heads later(want to get it done for a show in 2 weeks).

[mike16]

too nice to screw up. keep it stock and get another one for your project

[GASoline71]

I've owned 3 rigs with 6 cylinders in them over the last 30 years. A '67 C10, a '63 C10 converted to K10 and a '71 CJ5. All three had the 6's yanked toot-sweet for V-8's. But that's just me.

Really nice truck by the way!

Gary

[CST10]

Originally Posted by mike16

too nice to screw up. keep it stock and get another one for your project

I agree with you.

[Mmorgan32]

If you do the work to the 6 250hp is not bad I have the 290 hp crate engine with a intake and 600 cfm carb my truck is a 3/4 to. Long bed and it moves. Now I wouldn't win a drag race but it has plenty of power. Your truck is a lot smaller and lighter too. Plus tricked out straight 6s are just really cool and different in my opinion