Engine options for my modified

[38Chevy454]

I know that most of you have seen my modified I recently finished and been driving. The 53 Ford 215 engine is OK for driving, but it has SERIOUS blow-by. As in it smokes out the draft tube and valve cover breather whenever it is running. It leaves a vapor trail, haha. I am also not really fond of the Ford-O-Matic trans that is hooked up to it either. I have to run an automatic trans as the cowl is narrowed and no room for three pedals.

So I am thinking about an engine/trans change. I would like to keep it inline, I like the look, but also not totally against a V-8, as long as it is something different.

I have a line on a 76 Chevy truck 250 six that I was going to check out, but this engine should be the integral intake manifold and head model, which I have heard is not so desireable. Any advice on this?

I was kind of leaning towards the Ford 300 six maybe? Don't know squat about them. Supposed to be a good engine I think? Would it have the C-4 trans?

Fortunately I am not in a rush and can look around for something and replace it when it's convenient. I just thought with all the knowledge here, you all could offer me good suggestions. Thanks

[Fat Hack]

I did a post with a general overview of popular "late model" six bangers not long ago. Might be in the Tech-O-Matic with the others, or you can find it by using the 'search' feature.

The 250 Chevy is a great motor. It uses the same transmission options as a small block or big block Chevy V8, so you can run anything you want to behind them.

The integral head doesn't bother me much...they run great with a Holley replacememnt carb, but if you want something different than that, the older cylinder heads from the late 60s and early 70s are a direct bolt-on, and will allow the use of the many aftermarket manifolds available for this popular six. Earlier points style distrubtors are also a direct bolt-in.

The Chevy six is dirt cheap, reliable as a brick and runs great with basic performance mods...can't really go wrong there!

The Ford 240-300 six cylinder is their stout "truck motor" found in F-series and Econolines right up into the 90s as an EFI 4.9 litre mule. They are strong and reliable, and very easy to find on the cheap as well.

Clifford Research is a company which specializes in straight six performance. Get ahold of them...they make goodies for the Ford 300, the Chevy 250, and virtually every OTHER know six popper, too!

I think an inline six is perfect for your modified...nothin' sounds cooler than the raspy snarl of a split six, and it's a cool way to stand out from the billet-heavy small block Chevy guys!!!

[DrJ]

Have you taken a compression test?
It's probabaly just plain wore out but if a dry and then wet comp. test says it's alces you might be able to fix it up some with some valve seals, and those can be put in without pulling the head if you can pressurize the cylinder, or use "the rope trick"
Also, a closed crankcase conversion would get the vapors burned and out the exhaust pipe instead of out the breathers.

(I feel no guilt, that engine was given to me and I passed it on to someone else for just the labor of picking it up.) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[gowjobs]

An engine that looks bitchen but doesn't have much in the way of speed parts is the 61-64 aluminum OHC six from Rambler/AMC... an OHC Pontiac six would make for a bitchen look as well...

GJ

[drgnwgn289]

I say go with a 250 or 292. Then make your own head out of two sbc heads and make your own manifold...it would be pretty cool in a modified...

[4t64rd]

OHC6 from a Pontiac, Mid 60's Tempests and early Firebirds. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[stealthcruiser]

dragnwagn,
please elaborate on "make your own head out of two sbc heads".
inquiring minds want to know!

[Unkl Ian]

fordsix.com (http://fordsix.com/) and inliners.org (http://www.inliners.org) One of the best sounding cars I've ever heard was powered by a Ford 240 with 3 into 1 headers dumping out each side.

[G V Gordon]

258 AMC I6, Srong and cheap. Good runners as well.
2nd choice. 300 ci Ford six. Tons of them in pickups and vans, Bigger than a 283 SBC http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
please elaborate on "make your own head out of two sbc heads".
.

[/ QUOTE ] Cut and weld a pair of SBC castings together,end to end,to make a 6 cyl head with better ports.Common dragracing trick.Probably easier with Aluminum heads.Not for beginners.

[38Chevy454]

Wow, some good info here, except for maybe DW289's idea to make my own heads. I think that's a little too far for this project.

I had forgot about the Pontiac OHC 6, that would be really neat looking! Although they are kind of scarce. If I recall it is based on the Chevy six, but not really any interchangeability. That picture of the Pontiac sure looks nice.

The Jeep 258 six is definitely one to consider as well.

I will say that for most part i want to stay with newer transmissions design, the old 50's automatics generally are hassles and very costly. So even though an early Cad or Olds would be bitchin, it probably is not practical or cost effective for this project. Rules out early nailheads as well.

Given that I brought up the V-8, I was thinking a 60's/70's Cad-B-O-P V-8 could be different and certainly an option.

What it probably comes down to is what I can find cheap and decent shape that I can just fab some new mounts, hook up the connections and go. That local Chevy 250 might just become the new engine, based on current feedback here. I'll wait and see what other opinions may be expressed......thanks for the info so far

[el Roach]

Got a chev 250 in my 27 mod with an aluminum powerglide. Got a 500 cfm 4 barrel on it (for now) with slpit headers. Runs great, lasts long time. Lots of parts around (Schucks, Napa etc). Chrome or aluminum dress up goodies readily available. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[36couper]

From one BBC lover to another, the only natural choice would be a BBC. Now wouldn't that be a wild ride!

[drgnwgn289]

don't mean to hijack the post...but I read a book (I don't remember the title, but I still have it) that took you step by step through the process of making a head for a 250 or 292 out of a pair of sbc heads. The best way was to get a set of aluminum head because they are easier to weld to than cast iron. Anyway...you cut one comubstion chamber off the end of each and weld them together. A lot of the bolt holes line up but you have to drill others and you have to do a little filling too. This isn't just bullshit either, many of these heads have been made and they were even outlawed from a couple classes at bonneville because they work so well. You end up with a 12 port, cross flow aluminium head that you can use all the bad ass sbc components on. And when its all said and done...its still cheaper than getting a Wayne or other 12 port. You can use moddified sbc headers (or probably you could use two left side 4.3 litre headers...) but you have to pretty much fabricate your intake..but shit, get 3 webers or 6 mikunis and your set...

[drgnwgn289]

I forgot to suggest a jimmy 6. You could get a 228, 248, 270 or a 302 out of an old truck for pretty cheap. They are twice the motor that a 235 is. They make tons of torque and sound bad ass. My pop runs a 270 that is bored, balanced, ported and polished. It has a 500 cfm four barrel and fenton headers. It has been in service since '70 and it doesn't smoke, gets pretty good milage and will give my stude a run for its money....

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
...you cut one comubstion chamber off the end of each and weld them together. A lot of the bolt holes line up but you have to drill others and you have to do a little filling too.

[/ QUOTE ] Would that work with a regular 6 cyl cam? or would a special cam be needed to get the intake and exhaust lobes in the right order?

[Paul]

how about a dual overhead cam 5 speed Alfa?

screemin' little motors and they do kinda look like an Offy.

Paul

[Unkl Ian]

As cool as the Alfa and Fiat motors look,I think they only came with manual transmissions.

[drgnwgn289]

I just drew it out on a piece of scrap paper and I think it would work with a regular cam...but don't quoate me on that, I'll look in the book and find out for sure

[rickyracer1962]

I would put a 250 in it with a t5 five speed. it would fly. clifford sells killer cams & headers for these motors.

[metalshapes]

Unkl Ian, Some Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina's came with a ZF ( German Made) Automatic Tranny.

[SamIyam]

Yawn...
how come you no usie the SBC that you have sitting on the engine stand in yo' garagey?

It's there.
It's cheap.
It'll make the car twice as fast as any cheap six cylinder would.

That's the HOT RODDERS credo... cheap, powerful, easy...

We can dress it up to look a heck of a lot differnt than most every SBC out there...

But if you insist on a six... why not a Toyota Supra six... turbo charged for your pleasure??

It would be different... right?

or... I know Kent's dad has a BRAND NEW 430 Buick motor sitting in his back shed... I figured I'd buy it some day... but WTF am I going to do with a BUICK?? He got the thing when he was a shop teacher...


Or, if you want to be REALLY different... why not a MOPAR slant six?? Plenty of speed goodies for them... and we might even be able to find you one for FREE!!

I think in the end the SBC wins out... cheap, plenty of reliable power and makes good power for the small package.

Sam.

[repoguy]

I saw an old black & white picture once of a rod that had a jag straight 6 (hell, it may have been here for all I know). According to the story, the car had quite a rep for being one of the fastest cars in town (I forget where it was).

It was pretty cool looking, and I would imagine that it would be pretty light as well. But then, I'm no jag expert so it is very possible these motors are total pieces of shit and / or completely outrageous price-wise, I don't know. But like I said, it looked nice (whatever that's worth).

Something to think about anyway.

[Paul]

sbc,

[ QUOTE ]
Yawn...

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Paul

[38Chevy454]

Well, lots of ideas here, some laughs, some not so serious. I do have a SBC in my garage, a 307 with old style power pack heads, but I really would rather put something different. Leaning towards a inline still.

Thanks for all the info, now if I can just find a fresh rebuilt engine cheap........

[AHotRod]

38.....I'm not sure I've seen your Modified, but I think straight 6's are the coolest, and I'm especially fond of the Dodge "Slant 6" 225 CID. THese bad boys are Bullet Proof and are way cool looking.
Give it some consideration..........
Glenn

[metalshapes]

My dentist took the V12 out of his E Type Jag To put a ZZ4 crate motor in it.
Do you want me to go ask?
Then again you mentioned cheap... Here are 3 words you will never see in the same sentence: Jaguar, Dentist, and Cheap...

[Just Gary]

235 cid sixs plucked from 55-57 Chevys are almost free for the taking. Just ask around among your local tri-Chevy club...

[brewsir]

hell terry I'll give ya a pinto motor...you can get a couple hundred HP and bolt it up to a c4....freebie!
I just got my toyota hemi back from the engine builders shop....dual sidedraft webers,hot cam,aluminum flywheel....I was able to pick it up and set it on my bench (with the flywheel and pressure plate attached) so I figure its under 300 lbs.....should be about 150-160 HP. Now I just have to build a car around it!