Farm Truck Retrobuild

[Oberon67]

Hi all.

I'm the proud owner of an '81 C10 with the 250 inline six and a 3-speed manual transmission. That means the motor's got the double-hump valve cover, the integrated intake manifold and head, a Rochester duo-jet carb, and a ton of anti-smog plumbing.

Fortunately in my state of residence this vehicle has aged out of the tailpipe sniffer test; we're safety inspection only for this truck. A mechanic friend has recommended that I pull the dumb integrated head and all the smog plumbing off that motor and replace it with the head and intake off of, say, a 292 inline six, and add the appropriate aftermarket progressive 2-barrel carb.

(Actually he recommended that I yank the whole engine and replace it with a 350, but that's a story for another time. Suffice to say it's not happening any time soon.)

So let's say I wanted to do the build with the 292 parts and a good aftermarket carb. What's the best way to go about this, and which carb would you choose?

[rick1956]

I've got a soft spot for sixes myself. I'd recommend you just find yourself a good 292 to start with. You can build/massage it any way you'd like and still drive yours while you're building it.

[kipps]

I agree with the reply; buy a complete 292, and get it ready to drop in.

I've never driven a 250 or a 292, but I've put in quite a few miles behind a Ford 300. That Ford i6 is a blast to drive in a lightweight truck! It's not a powerhouse, but the torque curve pairs perfectly with a four-speed manual and 2.73 gears. I assume the GM i6's would be similar.

[Oberon67]

Originally Posted by kipps

I agree with the reply; buy a complete 292, and get it ready to drop in.

I've never driven a 250 or a 292, but I've put in quite a few miles behind a Ford 300. That Ford i6 is a blast to drive in a lightweight truck! It's not a powerhouse, but the torque curve pairs perfectly with a four-speed manual and 2.73 gears. I assume the GM i6's would be similar.

I learned to drive in an Econoline work van with that 300 CI inline six, three on the column, and no back windows. I agree, it was a very useful motor, and I wouldn't mind replicating that in a Chevy 292 at all.

Sourcing the motor and executing a rebuild (I'm not going to drop a junkyard motor in my truck without at least going through it first) will be a bit of a project. So, questions: Do I want a late 292 or an early one? Do I want the stock single-barrel carb, or an aftermarket 2-barrel with an intake adapter? My main concern is driveability. I'm looking for smooth torque delivery all along the rev range.