In market for 230 or 250 inline 6 cylinder engine or engine/3-speed manual transmissi

[dmjlambert]

...and needing some info. I’m wanting/needing an engine or engine and transmission combo. What years of cars and trucks had 230 or 250 inline 6 cylinder engines and 3 on the tree transmissions? I have heard trucks switched to 250 before cars and cars continued to have 230 for some more years and they are both have the same engine mounts. My 63 truck has a 230 I think is from a 66 Chevelle to replace the original 230 it probably had from the factory. I’m trying to free it up but it does not turn. I thought I should be concurrently just look for a replacement and get the truck up and running sooner rather than later. From what years can I look for an inline 6 cylinder that will drop into my 63 truck and both right in and work? Does year matter and I can use an engine from the 60’s, 70’s and possibly 80’s? Are there other displacements that will drop in or should I limit my search to 230 or 250 to have the most trouble free swap? How much should I expect it to cost, and is it practical to ask a seller to ship? I wouldn't mind also obtaining a 70+ width rear axle for 5-lug.

[ZEKE68]

Pretty sure that all of the 230 or 250 sixes had the same motor mountings and bell housings. So they should all bolt in. The 292 six blocks had one of the motor mount bosses in a different place than the 230/250. Cant tell you all of the years but I had a 230 in a 1970 Nova, and a 1965 G10 van. Had a 250 in a 1981 C10, but it had the one piece head intake manifold. My 1968 C10 had a 250 out of a Pontiac Omega in it when I got it.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I think 1967 was the last Model Year for the 230 L6 in Trucks.

After that the 250 L6 was Standard, and what you got if you didn't specify a certain displacement.
Externally, the block sizes are the same. You have to read the Dress Code letters, stamped into the machined pad by the Distributor to ascertain displacement size. [Unless you can pull off the Head and mic the cylinder diameter.]

The 292 L6 [RPO L25] has asymetrical mounts. The mechanical fuel pump is in the middle, and the passenger side motor mount is forward. K/10s with 292 require a specific, 292-only diagonal crossmember.

In the case of your 1963 Truck, you'll run into more 250s than any other L6 displacement. A 250 will drop into a 230's spot without hassle, and you may like the extra 20 cubic inches. You will want to keep the 230 head, as it will fit on the 250 lower block. Later model [1980s?] 250 L6s with the Integrated Head Manifold were crap, I'm told, but the earlier head will bolt onto the block, and work well.

If you decide to upgun to a 292, be sure you get all the passenger side motor mounting parts and hardware. The drivers side mounts are common with the 230 and 250. It also sits ~2'' taller in the engine bay.

[Bonestock3ott]

This might be worth a drive. Searched for inline 6 cylinder engine in Houston Texas. There was a 230 listed. Expanded the search area and the screen shot came up.Looks like southeast of Houston.

[RichardJ]

In most cases, '78 was the last year of the regular inline 250. Avoid the 250 with integrated cylinder head. '79 - up

1966-1984 Chevrolet (passenger cars to 1979, trucks/vans to 1984)
1968-1976 Pontiac Firebird
1968-1970 Pontiac Tempest
1968-1976 Pontiac LeMans
1968-1969 Buick Special
1968-1972 Oldsmobile F-85
1975-1976 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1971-1975 Pontiac Ventura
1968-1971 Buick Skylark
1968-1979 Chevrolet Camaro
1969-1979 Checker Marathon
1968-1992 Chevrolet Opala (Brazil)

On the plus side, many cars will have PS. On the neg side, most will also have smog pumps. You can plug the holes or use your old manifold. '68 and up will have one of a thousand variations of the monojet or use your carb.
Later '70s engines will already be drilled for bolt-up starter motor.

[dmjlambert]

Thanks for that great information all. The listing in Houston sounds very good. If I can't get the engine to turn will I be able to separate the engine from transmission? What are the steps to do that? My goal is to have the truck running and it will be a daily driver and grocery getter, and I don't care about the displacement or horsepower at all.