Keeping my I6 250...what to do?

[cericd]

If you have photos that you have already taken with the home button on the left, top or bottom, they will have to be rotated in a piece of software to correct the issue. Even though the appear to be right-side-up on your phone or computer any vBulletin forum (like this one) will not display them properly.

If you would like to know more about how to correct the orientation of images you've already taken please see this post http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=743225

[RichardJ]

In '79 the 250 became known as the 4.1 liter Pulsair with integral intake and totally different exhaust manifold. The manifold (80-85 ?) mentioned would have to be from a 292 and not all 292's. It is larger with 3-bolt outlet, but very hard to find and not worth the effort to change the exhaust system for marginal if any improvement.
If you want to change the exhaust, get tube headers and run dual exhaust all the way back.
That change alone to the engine will still give only marginal improvement. You still have a 8:1 cr and not exactly a performance head.

If you are able to adjust points properly and have a dwell meter, keep the stock distributor. The HEI has two advantages. You don't have to adjust or replace the points every 10,000 miles and it will provide a better spark over 6,000 rpm. OK, three, it will fire old, dirty, misadjusted spark plugs, long after their usable life with a points ignition. A remedy is to check and clean every 10,000 along with the points.

It won't give more power or fuel mileage than a well maintained point ignition.

25 years ago I installed an HEI, because my truck was my daily and only driver. I was driving 60 miles a day for work only and the interval for the points needing attention was more frequent than I had time for.

If you want to make changes that will put a smile on your face and make you want to get behind the wheel, add power steering and AC.
These are notable, worthwhile improvements that give the biggest bang for time and effort.

The next thing is gearing. That can be corrected with new rear gears or depending on the current gears, possibly with an over-drive trans.
Unless that has already been addressed, you're probably driving the slow lanes or side streets. Get the right gears /trans and get out on the highway and enjoy.

The one thing that you haven't been told is that the sky will fall if you don't change the Alt to a Internally regulated Alternator. B.S.

I have AC, HEI, electric fan, elec brake controller, Bluetooth stereo and stock alternator.

[Dirt's72]

Originally Posted by dash13

I am keeping my I6 250 and want to know what to do to it. I have changed plugs and wires and replaced the valve cover gasket. Replaced the fuel filter and did an oil change.


What's next?

Has your motor been rebuilt? Sure is clean.

[bill3rail]

I run Petronics ignition, never changing points again (Or filing them on the side of the road to get home) is nice!

['68OrangeSunshine]

I had a Pertronix Ignitor II on my 292. Worked good for about 7 years, then it would mysteriously cut out at 65 MPH, 3000 RPM. Engine would ''black-out'' deadrolling at freeway speeds until I could kick in the clutch, turn ignition Off then On, and pop the clutch at 55. I went back to points for a year. One theory was Desert Heat, another theory was it was getting spiked by high voltages from the EVR.
I emailed Pertronix customer service about it. They said send in the Ignitor II and they'd check it out. So I sent it in and never heard from them again.
Now I have a remote coil HEI and I'm happy with it.

[stevenfromtexas]

"remote coil"??

HEI that has the coil still mounted to the block and not inside the cap?

i'm interested...

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by stevenfromtexas

"remote coil"??

HEI that has the coil still mounted to the block and not inside the cap?

i'm interested...

Yeah, on the '75-'77 4.8 L6s [292s] there was cap interference with the big cap hitting the passenger side of the engine. Some fancy finned-aluminum custom side lifter covers had a dish milled where this occured, but I had clearance issues with stock covers.
Mounting the coil on the head [basically where the points coil went] lowers the action. It's a different cap too.
I can't find the pic. It's still on the SD card and not in Pictures. Working on it.
Got 'em.
Low Boy cap and custom coil bracket.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I got a couple of caps from ebay, They were $5 each. The pigtail I got from RockAuto. Coil from Merle's Auto Parts in Tucson. Order parts for a 1976 Chevy C/10 w/4.8 Liter L6 [292].
Had to fab my own bracket to hold the coil.
The OEM bracket straddled between the front bolt of the rear lifter side cover and the rear bolt of the front cover. There was a 1/4''-20 stud on top of these bolts. Coil mounted on a U-shaped bracket between the lifter covers. Hard to find now.
I mounted my coil upside down for better reach to the distributor pigtail. Looks cleaner, and plugwire terminal doesn't stick up.
Coil is attached by 2 bolts on ''front'' of coil. Adequately secure and allows reach behind to #3 sparkplug.

[RichardJ]

This is how the factory mounted the coil. The two center most bolts on the side covers have threaded studs above the hex.

[stevenfromtexas]

thank you!!

[RichardJ]

Found a better picture of the coil on my computer.

Crazyjeenyus, is giving you good info about the engine, but in my opinion, without the other changes to the truck, more power won't make it a more enjoyable truck.
My 292 has the LPG 9:1 pistons, 1.94 In valves, roller rockers, cam, Carter AVS, Clifford, Hedman, but I was still in the slow lane with the engine screaming its heart out. It wasn't until I changed the rear gears was any of that worth while and it could run in the fast lane with anyone. I know the stock engine configuration would have been equally happy with better gearing.

Before the power steering, I always felt like I was wrestling a grizzly in the cab when I was trying to park it. Power steering allows you to get rid of the giant steering wheel they put in there to give you leverage to wrestle the grizzly.

AC speaks for itself. There's nothing fun abut sweating in a truck cab no matter how much power it has.

[stevenfromtexas]

hahaha wrestling the grizzly....i agree
A/C as well. i told the wife how much fun it will be to meet and hang out with "old car guys" and cruise. she said, "will there be A/C"? hahaha
pretty sure that will be the first "upgrade"

what rear end gear ratio would be the best? highway gears was in the plans down the road

i haven't checked mine. its all stock '67 swb with 250 engine

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

Found a better picture of the coil on my computer.

Crazyjeenyus, is giving you good info about the engine, but in my opinion, without the other changes to the truck, more power won't make it a more enjoyable truck.
My 292 has the LPG 9:1 pistons, 1.94 In valves, roller rockers, cam, Carter AVS, Clifford, Hedman, but I was still in the slow lane with the engine screaming its heart out. It wasn't until I changed the rear gears was any of that worth while and it could run in the fast lane with anyone. I know the stock engine configuration would have been equally happy with better gearing.

Before the power steering, I always felt like I was wrestling a grizzly in the cab when I was trying to park it. Power steering allows you to get rid of the giant steering wheel they put in there to give you leverage to wrestle the grizzly.

AC speaks for itself. There's nothing fun abut sweating in a truck cab no matter how much power it has.

Richard: What are the two vertical 3/8-18 bolt holes between Cyls 3 and 2 used for? Hangover aircleaner support? I've always used them for coil mounting. When I had points, I hung a big square Mallory Voltmaster coils on those 2 holes. They were vacant on my engine.

[G8rN@te61]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

Found a better picture of the coil on my computer.

Crazyjeenyus, is giving you good info about the engine, but in my opinion, without the other changes to the truck, more power won't make it a more enjoyable truck.
My 292 has the LPG 9:1 pistons, 1.94 In valves, roller rockers, cam, Carter AVS, Clifford, Hedman, but I was still in the slow lane with the engine screaming its heart out. It wasn't until I changed the rear gears was any of that worth while and it could run in the fast lane with anyone. I know the stock engine configuration would have been equally happy with better gearing.

Before the power steering, I always felt like I was wrestling a grizzly in the cab when I was trying to park it. Power steering allows you to get rid of the giant steering wheel they put in there to give you leverage to wrestle the grizzly.

AC speaks for itself. There's nothing fun abut sweating in a truck cab no matter how much power it has.

Liking the offset air cleaner. I have the top piece but not the bottom piece. Do you happen to know what I should look for?

[In The Ten Ring]

Added this to "Truck Work" favorites folder! I have the 250 also and it could use some upgrades later on.

[RichardJ]

>> two vertical 3/8-18 bolt holes between Cyls 3 and 2 used for? Hangover aircleaner support?<<

Yes, but also for the AC compressor bracket. That last coil picture looks like it was taken before the AC installation. I use the bottom hole there and the two holes at the front next to the #1 plug.