SIX Cylinder or V8

[Field and Son]

I am going to start working on my 70 c10 that has the original 6 cylinder three on the tree. I am thinking of doing a frame off build and am wondering with the cost involved if I am better to go to a V8. I do not intend to sell anytime soon, but am thinking maybe a V8 is going to sell for more money. Is this correct or are people willing to pay the same money for a SIX

[70cst]

Thats a good question with various answers. If you do a frame off and keep it original that will draw a certain crowd who wants their trucks as it was when it left the factory. Then you have those who want V8 power over a six popper and will pay extra. You mentioned this was going to be your truck with no immediate plans on selling...then I would build it to suit your taste. JMHO

[Brad]

Having been an L6 fanatic all my driving career and with an original Camaro I feel qualified to tell you that if you intend to sell it down the road, I'd keep the original L6 block stashed somewhere and put in the V8 for now. You'll basically have the best of both worlds and have the overall power and fun of the V8. Unless the 6 is rebuilt with high compression, it's hard to get better mpg's out of it than the 8. I've proven it can be done, but it'll cost ya up front. I love 6's and there are others like me that would prefer that original 6 in an all original truck, but then again most would prefer the 8 and that's most likely what would get you a higher price if you need to sell it and it'll be cheaper to build than the 6.

[PanelDeland]

I like the 6 also.However you can probably build a V-8 and install it for less than the 6.I don't necessarily like back to stock but feel that a warmed over 6 is just more interesting than a bellybutton 350.
Just my opinion and YMMV.

[mbgmike]

Yeah I like trucks with a clean 6. A small block is ok but I like to see the sixes to and I don't feel like they are any less desirable. They can cost more to build but they are tough motors. Last i heard a 292 supercharged rail ran like 8.96 or something

[mrmojo32]

I loved the 250 that I put in my 72. It got over 20 mpg with 3 speed standard and 3.73 gears. As others have said I think it's all in what you want.

[Field and Son]

Thanks for the replies. I personally like and enjoy the SIX, but was thinking maybe others would not want because of it. What does it cost to rebuild one of these compared to a V8? Thanks

[brad_man_72]

ls1? overdrive? but then again you would want to drive a frame off resto'd truck everyday.
leno says restore them to 100 points then drive them till they are a 20

[68gmsee]

If you have intentions of selling in the near future I'd keep the six. On the other hand, if you're going to keep it for several years, I'd slap a v8 in it and do what Brad mentioned; keep the six stored somewhere.

Another thing to remember is that you will never get what you put into these trucks unless you're a professional rebuilder and can find a buyer that has that kind of money.

[Field and Son]

Originally Posted by brad_man_72

ls1? overdrive? but then again you would want to drive a frame off resto'd truck everyday.
leno says restore them to 100 points then drive them till they are a 20

I like this idea. I would like to restore it and then work it like any other truck. Still much cheaper and much cooler than a new truck.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Field and Son

I like this idea. I would like to restore it and then work it like any other truck. Still much cheaper and much cooler than a new truck.

Exactly! My wife can't understand why I like to drive my old 68 instead of driving the Trailblazer. I'm crazy that way...

[mrmojo32]

Yes indeed! Thats it 4 me too!

Several restored old trucks are better than one new one to me too!

Having a company supplied truck to commute for work helps too though.

[Field and Son]

The best part is the lack of payments on a new one. I was paying $500-$700 per month for new trucks and then everytime something had to be done in the shop it was $500-$1000. I can do a lot to an old truck for $500 per month and for the $1000 service I can replace the whole engine. It sure seems fun besides.

[silverstreak]

I say go with a hot rod 6. I have a 250 in my 63 Bel Air and 3 on the tree. I just put on a Weber 38 2 barrel outlaw carb and run straight exhaust. It really woke that motor up. Now I'm working on 3 2 barrel Webers and dual exhaust.

[mr48chev]

If it's a very nice stock or near stock truck I don't think there is enough difference in resale down the road to get excited over.

Two things burn my biscuits in the automotive hobby. The constant "what's it worth"? question that always pops up and the constant worry from other on "resale value".

To me what would kill the value is cobbling in an engine that just doesn't belong there such as a 413 Mopar wedge just because you had one in an old ex cop car out back. I live on an indian reservation in an area of serious farming, think Hops and washington apples. You see some strange combinations thrown together by people who have a truck without an engne and a wrecked car with a good engine that may or may not fit in said truck. They don't care about resale value, just a vehicle that will get them where they want to go.

Other than that probably what would hurt the value outside of beating the truck to death is unadvised modifications. Hacked up dashes, odd ball seat installations and strange body modifications that may not be attractive to the majority of people.

[Tx Firefighter]

If I were in your shoes, I'd run the six cylinder. They idle like electric motors.

[Winter]

If you choose to rebuild the 6 cylinder, you may want to look at the link below. Good information on 6 cylinder engine mods.

http://www.inliners.org/

[capev86]

build a stroker w/ the original engine if possible and find ways to efficiently improve performance. the straight 6 is a good work horse engine and has good low end torque and makes it almost as good a towing engine as some v8'. probably better than short stroke v8's that develop their power at higher rpms.

[Longhorn Man]

While the inline 6 gang are pretty hard core, I'd pretty much bet my next paycheck that a small block truck would sell sooner, and get more money than an inline rig would. The only exception, is if the truck is done up as a 100% (or real close) as original restoration, and not a restomod (which everyone here calls a restoration anyways)
A 73 Gremlin is worth quite a bit of money to the right guy... but how the heck you gonna find him?

[69RAT]

I vote I-6 or a BB. Most trucks a small blocks- do something different! Smallblocks are cheap but I'll take a 6 or a BB any day.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Well like some of the guys here are saying the I6 is a nice suprise instead of the SBC or BBC engine.

I myself am in the process of putting a Clifford 4-barrel intake and 390cfm Holley on mine. Also with a Flowtech headers which should wake up my lil' 250 ci. In fact I may even put a mild cam in it as well.
I just think if done right they will draw more attention the the standard V8's do.

But hey that's just me.

[big_al_71]

I would go for the v8. Power is there when you need it. It is more apealing to the majority than a in line six, at least in my area.

[Already Gone]

ttt

[72blue]

My first vehical was a 75 bronco w a 302 and 3 on the tree. I hated the shifter when I first got it and wanted an automatic so bad I could taste it. But being young and dumb then, I now see why the comumn shifter was cool. It was off the floor, out of the way and simple. I had a chance to buy a 67 half ton stepper with a l6 and three speed. It didn't appeal to me then, but man it was clean and if I saw that truck now, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Plus they can get better milage and they do look neat under the hood.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I'm an obvious proponent of the L6s. They last 2 or 3 times longer, and are much easier to tune and work on than V8s. Not that it's much of a problem in Wisconsin, but my 292 L6 '68 C/10 Stepside can take a lot more desert heat than the V8 350 in my '71 Jimmy. Always vapor locking and lugging -- @#! dag nab it!