Anyone Using 4.1 Straight Six Engine?

[sstpeach]

I'm looking at a 4.1 straight six engine for my 66. Please give input good or bad, would you recommend this engine? I know it was lacking on the power department but apparently runs very good for a long long time. I want a straight six for the motor...........

Steve

[slepysal]

A 4.1L 250 ? I have one in my 60. it has headers,a cliford manifold with a
2 bbl, and pertronix ignition, I have no probs with "lacking in the power department " !!

[ol Curt]

Great torque...has ample power unless you want to drag race. If racing is in mind, lots more can be accomplished with either a 292 or by having lots of expensive head work done to make it breathe better. I like mine foe what i use it for.

[sstpeach]

Very good. One final question. Is their a difference in a 1979 250 straight six vs the older engines.....I presume they would have improved performance, torque etc.

Any issues with firewall clearance in a 66 chassis vs 79 motor?

steve

[sstpeach]

see attached picture of the 1979 4.1 (250) straight six I'm considering........what about the new integrated head on the newer style?

steve

[ol Curt]

I think the newer ones made 10-12 more h.p. Don't quote me on this, but I thought there was an issue with headers on one with integrated head.

[factorystock]

The 250 started as a simple engine, and was until '74. In '75 they were built with an integral head and manifold. In '79, more smog equipment was added as shown in above photo. In '79 GM tried to make the engine as efficient as possible for better mileage and power, but became more complicated in the process. The easiest swap would be a pre '75 version, but a '79 250 should work also.The 250 was a long running reliable engine, but it did have a reputation for cracking manifolds (very expensive) on newer versions and blowing out exhaust manifold gaskets on older versions.

[Oregoon]

Nothing wrong with the older version. To negate gasket troubles on the 250 (and this applies to most inliners) have both the exhaust and intake manifolds mating surfaces planed. And don't over-tighten when installing!

[MXmaniac]

I think the integrated head would be just fine if you have no plans of using an aftermarket intake/carb later on. It eliminates any chance of a vacuum leak where the intakes meets the head.

[sstpeach]

Not looking for anything but a reliable stock motor. Thank you all for the assistance.
steve

[JWOLVES]

i have my dads 64 chevy with a 250 straight 6 it has 789.000 miles on it and still running strong and the way he used it as a work horse it's a miracle it still has a straight frame with the loads he's hauled and pulled good motor in my book ps it's not the one in my pic thats my new toy

[Rogue]

I just traded my 250 off.

Have you checked pick and pull?
There is one on Elliot Reeder in FW and loop 12/I-30 in Grand Prairie.
I have gotten new rebuilds there for cheap.

[sstpeach]

I'm going with the 250 engine, just have to pick pre-74 with non-integrated head vs 75 and newer with emissions.

I have an engine of each to choose from same price......the truck will be a daily driver with the three speed on the column. I drive about 45 total miles a day.....which would you choose, I can't decide?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Integrated head IMO shouldn't be a deal breaker: Look for the nicest or lowest mile engine for the best price first, then worry about subtleties.

[davidh]

250 6 are good engines. They 'll take a licking and keep ticking

[skullboydeath]

Hi I have a 78 250 in my 65 i recently rebuilt and I love it. Good strong motor easy to work on. Mine had over 300k on it and all it did was smoke alittle when I tore it down I was surpised how clean and great shape everything was on the inside. I choose to go without intergated head just because of all the problems I heard out of them. As far as emssions Since your putting it in a 66 you can just strip all that stuff off. The po set mine up as if it was the stock 65 250 that it orginly came in it. Hell I thought it was the originly engine intill I got it out and notice the main caps had 78 stamped on them. Then I ran the numbers. You won't be disappointed in 250. Also check out inliners.org they have alot of great information on inline 6's

[custom63]

I have a 250 in my 63' and love the thing. Just had a complete overhaul on it and it runs like a champ. I set it up with a clifford intake and a holley four barrel carb. They only problem I am having is that the intake is of the order style from Clifford and does not have water heated passages built into it. Cuz of this I tend to get a rough idle, but it smooths out nice once I hit the throttle. I am still trying to address this problem. But like Skullboy sad, check out inliners.org

[sstpeach]

Will a pre-75 valve cover (non-integrated) work on a 79 engine? How else would I strip off all the emission control equipment?

[skullboydeath]

Seems like i read that in 79 some had intergated heads and some didnt. The blocks are the same so the heads are interchangable Not sure about the valve covers, might be able to plug everything off some one with a intergated head will know more about it then me

[kizer]

I have a 66 Chevelle 250 in my 65 and it runs great. It had a little work done on it before I got it, but I have zero complaints.

[MXmaniac]

I have no idea if the valve covers swap, but I know who would.

http://inliners.org

[txinliner]

Originally Posted by sstpeach

Not looking for anything but a reliable stock motor. Thank you all for the assistance.
steve

ive got a 230 inliner in my 65 swb with 40,000 miles on it the only thing ive done to her is put a pertronics ignition and rebuilt the mighty 1 barrell carb and this truck runs fantastic

[retodd7711]

I had a stock 250 in my '69.
Not much in the go-fast department, but it was a trailer pulling machine.
Mine was set-up with a granny 4-speed and pulled my lawn mower trailer quite well.

[RoughKuntry]

I have the 79 integrated heads on my 250 inline six, at its strapped into a 73 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4. Only issue is truck won't stay running unless you cover up the carb with your hands. Anyone know how to fix this?

Thanks

[aerotruk63]

You have a vacuum leak. Some say to use an unlit propane torch, allow the gas to flow and the motor should rev when your near the source of the leak. Is the carb sufficiently secured?