Another Newbie with a 65 Chevy Stepside

[oldblue65]

Hi everyone. I just joined recently. Was referred by Ta2Don. I wanted to put up pictures of my truck and talk about what I want to do with it.

It is a 1965 Chevy Stepside. My dad bought it in 1989 and we have owned it ever since. It has been mine officially since last year. It looks great on the outside with the new paint work but it is pretty old on the inside (both cab and engine). It has an original 230 inline 6 engine in there that is running great (except for the 9-10 mpg). Unfortunately, for the last 5 years, it has been an automatic rather than the classic "3 on the tree" setup.

My hope is to put a newer engine to get better gas mileage, a/c, power steering, and power breaks. I think the 350 Chevy engine would be best for this but would love to hear thought from people on here.

I guess that is all for now. Comment or private message me if you have engine ideas or know a good place to start looking (I'm in Central Arkansas area).

[RANDY COX]

welcome and KOOL truck I like the stepsides too...

[dwcardfan]

Welcome! Very nice truck. Just remember we like lots of pictures.

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome aboard! And sweet looking truck! Here's my opinion on the engine...and you'll get a bunch of different answers, but take this from a guy who has fun with 6 cylinders.

The 350 is very common. TO common in my opinion. I skip over trucks that have that engine at car shows...just because I've seen it several to many times. Which means my stay is rather short. lol Its a darn good engine and has its reputation, BUT the 6 bangers have one just as good if not better.

That 230 properly tuned would get better mileage. But it really depends on what YOU want out of the truck. You trying to go the cheapest way possible not caring how common things are....350 will be the choice....though I highly doubt it will get much more mileage than the 230 would tuned up. You'd have more power though for sure...and P/s and A/C will be cheaper to setup. If you like things much more unique and different....I'd stick with the 230. Small mods can be done to tune these things up to run better. Just depends on how much you want to spend. To me its a shame to see a good running American engine dumped for a Japanese/Chinese crate engine. But that's my opinion. Whatever you decide we'll be here cheering you on. Good luck and I'm in for the build.

[oldblue65]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. TJ's Chevy, thanks for your input and the tips. How much mpg do you think a tuned up 230 could get and what type of tuning are you suggesting?

Honestly, it's more than just the mpgs, I also want to get the truck to be able to be driven comforatably by my wife and son so I need it to have power steering and power brakes for them. Dropping a new 350 in would solve all 3 of those issues. I wasn't really wanting to do a crate 350 as much as I was wanting to find a used/in good condition chevy 350 engine somewhere.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by oldblue65

Thanks for the tips. How much mpg do you think a tuned up 230 could get and what type of tuning are you suggesting. Honestly, it's more than just the mpgs, I also want to get the truck to be able to be driven comforatably by my wife and son so I need it to have power steering and power brakes for them. Dropping a new 350 in would solve all 3 of those issues. I wasn't really wanting to do a crate 350 as much as I was wanting to find a used/in good condition chevy 350 engine somewhere.

It really varies on where you live. On good days I've heard as much as 16 with a stocker that had an HEI. Full tune up is what I would start with, and convert to an HEI. Those help alot with mileage. As for a 350 I'd find and Early 70's engine. You don't want a smog motor. They were gutless. A 70's engine would be the one to find. They performed well and had good power and torque. The 6 and the 8 will offer ease of ownership and comfortable driving, but the V8 will out perform the stock 6. LS swaps are also becoming the new thing as well. Something else to look into.

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Welcome aboard! And sweet looking truck! Here's my opinion on the engine...and you'll get a bunch of different answers, but take this from a guy who has fun with 6 cylinders.

The 350 is very common. TO common in my opinion. I skip over trucks that have that engine at car shows...just because I've seen it several to many times. Which means my stay is rather short. lol Its a darn good engine and has its reputation, BUT the 6 bangers have one just as good if not better.

That 230 properly tuned would get better mileage. But it really depends on what YOU want out of the truck. You trying to go the cheapest way possible not caring how common things are....350 will be the choice....though I highly doubt it will get much more mileage than the 230 would tuned up. You'd have more power though for sure...and P/s and A/C will be cheaper to setup. If you like things much more unique and different....I'd stick with the 230. Small mods can be done to tune these things up to run better. Just depends on how much you want to spend. To me its a shame to see a good running American engine dumped for a Japanese/Chinese crate engine. But that's my opinion. Whatever you decide we'll be here cheering you on. Good luck and I'm in for the build.

I agree with TJ. When I spun my bearing in my 235 I was on the fence also on a engine swap. Im glad now I rebuilt my 235 instead of going with a 350. Every truck you see at shows have a 350. So it has gotten to common. I get a lot of complements on my six and people tell me they are glad I kept it. I still have the 3 speed and I can run 75 down the highway. I have an overdrive for it that I'm waiting to put in. I just helped a friend do his 230 for his Nova. He put a 250 crank in it to get more stroke. It runs great and has plenty of power. I say keep it and and add the right trans, intake, carbs and you will be fine!

[oldblue65]

Can you guys be more clear about how much gas mpg you expect to get out of the 230 when it is rebuilt and tuned. I really just want 3 things (better gas mileage, power steering, power brakes).

I am not very concerned with shows and if other people think my truck is great or not. I'm just trying to turn it into a viable daily driver which is hard right now without the power steering and only 8-9 mpg.

I would LOVE to get those three things done and keep the 230 because that sounds way more appealing to me for all the reasons you guys mentioned (original engine, unique, etc.). I am hesitant about the 350 for all the reasons you guys mentioned but if it is the cheapest/best route to get me what I need, I might go for it.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by oldblue65

Can you guys be more clear about how much gas mpg you expect to get out of the 230 when it is rebuilt and tuned. I really just want 3 things (better gas mileage, power steering, power brakes).

I am not very concerned with shows and if other people think my truck is great or not. I'm just trying to turn it into a viable daily driver which is hard right now without the power steering and only 8-9 mpg.

I would LOVE to get those three things done and keep the 230 because that sounds way more appealing to me for all the reasons you guys mentioned (original engine, unique, etc.). I am hesitant about the 350 for all the reasons you guys mentioned but if it is the cheapest/best route to get me what I need, I might go for it.

I don't know how close wrecking yards are to you, but the cheapest way would probably be to purchase a crate 350 from Jegs for $1299. This is a long block. You'll have to get an intake, carb, dizzy, exhaust manifolds or headers, pulleys, ect. I should ask...what mileage are you Wanting? Like I said...I've heard of stock 230s getting 16 mpg. Yours would no doubt get near that or more with a 5 speed. A T5 has been a common swap with the 230 and I believe in 5th cruising down the highway or freeway guys have gotten as much at 18. I did a 292 and built it for street performance. It will be making 310 hp and 340 torque at the flywheel. Backed by a TKO600 5 speed and 3.73 gears with 30 inch tires I should see as much as 18 cruising at 60-65. You know, here's an idea for you. There's tons of guys on here with 350s in their rigs. I'd go to the sub forum called "Engine and Drivetrain" and post your question there. Simply asking what mileage guys are getting out of their 350's. You may also ask what mileage guys are getting out of their 6 cylinders as well. Then you can get some more ideas and views instead of just mine. lol

[oldblue65]

Wow, thanks so much for the detailed answer. You guys are being so helpful. I will try to go to post my questions elsewhere when I get back to a laptop (on iphone right now). Very helpful, thanks again.

[Ta2Don]

Welcome aboard...

Also check out the FAQ link... There is a wealth of info there...

And like Donnie said, we like lots of pix!

[oldblue65]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

And like Donnie said, we like lots of pix!

I'll try to keep them coming. With Donnie, you, and me, it's not to have Arkansas represented so well on here.

[oldblue65]

Originally Posted by oldblue65

I'll try to keep them coming. With Donnie, you, and me, it's not to have Arkansas represented so well on here.

meant to say "nice to"

[Bomp]

Welcome, Have a nice looking truck there.

[Ta2Don]

Arkansas has some sweet Reps out here... check put clemdaddy and Slosh as well as chris dollins, davischevy, arkyhauler, and others that I am unable to bring to mind currently

[oldblue65]

Since we talked so much about my 230 engine, I figured I would post it...

[oldblue65]

Also, I got to put this seat cover in the other day. It's nothing fancy but it's the same one my dad used to use so I had to have it.

[TJ's Chevy]

230 looks nice and clean. Like the seat cover.

[ChrisDollins]

Good looking pickup! Cool to see another Arky on the board. I like the 250 that is in ours. But I do prefer the sound of a v8. I have a 283 that needs a little work, but I keep going back and forth on doing the swap at all.
Chris

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by ChrisDollins

Good looking pickup! Cool to see another Arky on the board. I like the 250 that is in ours. But I do prefer the sound of a v8. I have a 283 that needs a little work, but I keep going back and forth on doing the swap at all.
Chris

I'd be torn between as well. haha Both are darn cool engines though.

[ChrisDollins]

As far as mileage goes, my 250 got 16.5 coming back from Fayetteville a couple of years ago. HEI ignition and factory single barrell carb. No overdrive 3 speed manual.

[aggie91]

Welcome to the forum Daniel!

I too have a '65. While in college it had a 250 6cyl with a 4 speed and later changed to an automatic. It was more street performance like TJ's, but I knocked down 15mpg in town with it back in the day.

There are few ways to get the power brakes and steering for your truck. I would keep the 6 for now if it is in good shape mechanically. I would swap in a HEI distributor and do a good full tune up with new plugs (larger gap for the HEI), and clean and adjust the carb. If you do swap in the HEI, the power wire from the plug on the firewall above the engine, has a resistance wire in it for the points distributor. That wire needs to be completely replaced with a standard 12ga copper wire to supply a full 12 volts to the HEI for best mpg and performance.

For power brakes follow this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=611577

For the dual master cylinder conversion follow this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=599582

While Sharps40 is no longer an active member, search his threads, he has plenty of info on what he did to get good mpg from his 6cyl.

For power steering, there are brackets available for the 6cyl to mount the pump, and CaptainFab has a bracket to mount the steering box to the frame:
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=332923

pump brackets: davisspeedequip on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10003-292-CH...wrv_jA&vxp=mtr
or:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10003-292-CH...wrv_jA&vxp=mtr

Keep us posted on your progress!

[ChrisDollins]

Originally Posted by aggie91

If you do swap in the HEI, the power wire from the plug on the firewall above the engine, has a resistance wire in it for the points distributor. That wire needs to be completely replaced with a standard 12ga copper wire to supply a full 12 volts to the HEI for best mpg and performance.

Oh wow. I didn't know this. Guess I should go ahead and do that.

Chris

[66ChevyMax]

Welcome and great looking truck, good luck with engine choice it's always a difficult decision. A/C and power steering and brakes are a great upgrade for these trucks. Looks like the next owner will be a lot of help

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by ChrisDollins

Oh wow. I didn't know this. Guess I should go ahead and do that.

Chris

It has been 25+ years ago when I did mine. If I remember correctly, the wire has a braided cloth like insulation on it. It made a big difference in the way the HEI worked, allowed me to run a bigger gap on the plugs and still burn the mixture correctly.