[dmaggard]

I have a 53 Chevy pickup that has a 230 out of a 60s auto. I'm wanting to build a gutsy 6 cylinder to lay in it and I'm not sure where I should start. Everybody has the 350 sitting in doghouse and I'd like to do something a little different and old school with a hot 6 cylinder. Going to keep the 3 speed transmission unless I find a good reason not to. My question is, what would be the best engine to build? 250.... maybe. I'm not an engine guy. I'm a paint and body guy. I'm thinking something with a mild cam, maybe three dueces... Appreciate any input.
Dave

[willys36@aol.com]

Great plan. Any 6 from the venerable 235, 260, GMC 292, 230-50 series are great engines. I rebuilt my late model 235 for my '53 pickup. Put a bunch of hot rod parts in it - cam, shaved head 1/10" for ~9.5:1 compression, Clifford 4bbl manifold, converted stock distributor to accept Chrysler electronic ignition and adapted th whole mess to a 200R4 OD auto tranny. You can see a lot of what I have done in my journal.

[Sixguns]

get a 250. punch it out to 4" with some flat tops, work over the head with 194/160 valves,remove the intake boss, install lumps in the ports, fit it up with a 224 duration cam and a 390 holley on a clifford intake. watch the heads turn. of coruse there are some things to consider before you startup that boreing bar.

[dmaggard]

You both know that all that sounds like Japanese to a paint and body guy. If I can get me a mechanic to build me one of those I'll memorize all that so I can brag on it. It sounds awesome. Wish I knew more about the motor part. Gotta start somewhere. Just bought a 230 L6 out of a 66 Chevelle so that will probably be my starting point. Willys36, your journal is awesome. Lots there to check out.

[jimfulco]

A simple crank and piston swap will turn a 230 into a 250, and a 250 crank is fully counterweighted. Pistons for a Chevy 307 V-8 have the same bore, almost the same compression height, and are flat-tops (stock 250's have dished tops). Read Leo Santucci's book on hot-rodding the later Chevy six. Also, check out www.cliffordperformance.net , www.selfracing.com , and www.sissellsautomotive.com .

Inline sixes have problems with torsional twisting of the crank, and they tend to want to shake flywheels and balancers loose. Be sure yours are attached well.

[strummin67]

..To add to Jim's post, you can also look at Tom Langdon's Stovebolt: http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/index1.htm

Strummin