Hello. I am restoring a 1981 Chevrolet C10. It came with a 250 6cyl. and a 3 speed standard. The truck has 59k miles and it ran well. Should I plan to use this motor or should I invest my time and effort into a small block? I have heard a lot of horrow stories about these motors. (cracked manifiolds) Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Warren

 

that's a good reliable engine .just keep a eye on it and just don't run it into the ground .sure you can break any thing . but you can always go from the combined intake and exhaust cylinder head to the older separate intake and exhaust head . plus the mileage and cost difference of going to a v-8 can be pricey .

 

You do realize this is the Test Post Area, correct?

 

Thank you both for your response and I had trouble figuring out how to get the thread going properly. sorry

 

Moved to Silverado & Fullsize Pickups.

 

theres nothing wrong with a 6 cylinder. id stick with it. you can get plenty of power out of them and thier cheaper to rebuild, and better on gas. and about horror stories, thiers horror stories for EVERY vehicle. both old and new. i mean look at some of these posts. brand new 07 trucks with 13k miles on them are losing gauges, running rough, etc.

 

Thanks for the advice,that is what I was hoping to hear. It is not going to the track if you know what I mean? I really appreciate your response and I hope you have a great day.

 

There's always the replace/upgrade the old manifold approach.

Many who are impatient with anything but a large V8 tend to exaggerate the horror stories a little.

My personal experience with straight sixes is they have tons of low -end torque(more than most small-block V8s off the line{SHHHH}), run cool, and give great MPG. All the major manufacturers have dropped in-line sixes. Apparently they were TOO dependable.

Keep those radiator fins clean, stay up on oil changes and maintenance, and very possibly many years from now this story will have a happy ending.

 

you can also get the same HP from that inline as you would buying a crate 350. but you'd get better gas milage from it.

 

clean it a detail the engine right and when you pop the hood a six banger can be cooler than a v-8 cause its always done, make it your own and you will love it, i have my eye on a 79 2wd with a 250 4sp, runs like a top and will cruise at 80 all day long