Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 67 Chevy II Restore w/ 68 250--Need Help

Hello all. This is my first posting to Inliners. I think this site is very useful and interesting and exactly what I am looking for. I like that it isn't a chat board, it is what it was meant for inliners and cars/trucks.

I am restoring a '67 Nova/Chevy II 4 door and putting a '68 250 six under the hood. The car currently has a 2-speed powerglide in it. This is my first restore/rebuild but I have a lot of help available. However, everyone helping me says that I shouldn't build up the I-6, rather I should buy a crate V8 and build that up and put it in there. I'd like to keep with a six cylinder, 'cause I've always like them and I heard that normally they will out last the car itself.

My question is this. I'm restoring the engine (painting, new gaskets, small amounts of engine dress us) to put in the car so that I can get it on the road. Once it is running and the car can be moved without pushing it, I'm going to restore the car itself. So my question is pretty general, but I figured that I would get some good ideas from the people (you guys) that really know how much I can build up a six cylinder. I don't want to make the a drag car or anything; just a weekend driver that looks nice and has some horse power. Money doesn't grow on trees so I'm trying to keep this somewhat on a budget, but if things are really worth the money, I don't have a problem buying it.

If anyone is interested: I started a web-page to record the restoration. I just started it so it is a little bare, but there are pix of the car, I have pix of the engine to up load. My 67 Nova

Dear 67N;

Check with Larry/Novman. He has a website on his too.

Good luck, John M....

Hey Nova Deuce,

Get used to hearing the "Put a V-8 in it" that's the standard line and would be a simple answer, but Small Block Chevy's are like Belly Buttons . . .EVERYBODY's got one ! I'm at the same point as you only with a '69 Camaro project. It's far from my first build though, this is may second Camaro and I've done almost 20 cars total, mostly Chevelles and El Camino's. All had V-8's so this time I decided it's time for something different.

My suggestion, build the six and if for some reason your just not happy with it the V-8 swap into your vehicle would be simple. Of course the guys here would hunt you down and Duct tape you to a tree or something if you did, I'm sure !

It seems that the standard proceedure for any inline six project is to start by buying Leo Santucci's book about building the inline 6. Do a quick search by his name and it's easy to find. I think it's available through this site also.

Your car looks like a great project I hope to build a '66 or '67 Nova some day. They're on my list of "want-ta-haves" You've found the right site for the info you need. Just start pouring over the old topics and you'll get most the info you need without even asking any questins.

Good luck on your build. . .

'Crockett

67NV2, Welcome to Inliners ! John M.& 'Crockett
give good advice. Larry/Novaman/Twisted6 will join in on this forum to your benefit I'll bet. In the mean time here is a link to his site.
www.memorylaners.homestead.com
Since you're a software engineer you can probably check this out at work!

67NovaDuece,

Do your own thinking and build it your way, as you said. Any performance stuff you can do within your budget will make it even better. It doesn't take much to coax 50 or so more horsepower out of a 250 and with some proper head work you can easily pick the total up to 100HP over stock. Stock is @ 145 then add 100 and you have 255 HP at the flywheel. The base 350 crate is 250 HP at the flywheel. But the best part is you have a relatively light car and that 250 when done anywhere near right will leave the V8 guys wondering what the he77 just happened to them as you go by. Oh yeah, the 250 in stock trim is 105 lbs lighter than the 350 in stock trim and losing weight is as good as gaining horsepower.

Just Say No to V8's.

Mike

I think the idea is to do it right the first time..

I'm definately no expert but it seems to me that getting power out of a V8 is far simpler and cheaper than out of an inline6 because everybody has them, there are tons of aftermarket parts for them.

I am currently rebuilding a '78 NOVA with a 250(my first rebuild ever) and am sick of hearing two things: "get a V8" and "get a honda civic".
I'm not sure if I'm gonna keep the 250 or swap it for a 292.

Anyways the point is I think the reason the people here keep the 250 is because most of us don't like to just "follow the leader". So I think that if your not entirely convinced that what you want is an inline six and you are actually interested in a V8 but can't afford it right now so you figure you'll build up the six... Then save your money and get the V8.

The fact that you've gone through the trouble of finding this organization gives us a hint that what you really want to do is build a six. So anyways.. just think about what you want.

Luis

PS. NovaDeuce, you might want to scale down the pictures in your site, they're huge!

'Cause I'm fairly new to engine rebuilding and mods I was wondering what types of things you all might suggest as beginner modifications. Like new 4 barrel intake and new carb or headers (by the way: where would I go to shop for inline 6 headers and I thought I saw a pic on this site with someone with an inline 6 with a set of headers (3 cylinders going to one collector and the other 3 going to the other collector)). I'm pretty sure that I can put the car on the road with the 250, however I was looking for some ideas for some first mods that I might be able to do before I put it on the road.

Thanks for all the help so far.

About the pix on the site. I know. I'm planning to fix it this weekend.

Welcome to Inliners and congratulations and keeping the Chevy II inline. If you are not going to tear into the motor, headers and manifold with either a two barrel or a small (390 cfm)are a great place to start. An inexpensive upgrade is to replace the distributor with a HEI unit from a 75-81 inline. It will start easier and run better with the newer ignition.

You did not mention if the Chevy II has an inline currently. I believe the 68 motor uses a rear sump pan while the early cars use a center sump; if you do not have the pan and pick-up from the old motor, you should be able to pick them up cheap from the put a 350 in it crowd. By the way, replacing the 6 with a small block is not a simple drop in; there are many Chevy II specific parts needed to do it.

For sources of parts, ebay randomly has 6 cyl hot rod parts and Stovebolt Engine Co. and Clifford Performance are a couple of sources for new pieces.

Good luck!

I do have the 250 out of the car, however it is not in the best condition. I'm using it as a parts engine for some stuff for the 68 250 out of a pickup.

Welcome Duce.
These guys know their stuff, I have built my 250 with the insight of several members as well as good used parts that have been listed in the classified adds. I have a 73 GMC pick up with a 250 motor, Clifford intake and exaust, bought from the classifieds, HEI ignition, bought from the classifieds and a NEW Holly carb and Comp cam. Reading all, or many of the postings has been a big help and saved me lots of time and money in "trial and error" building. Stick with the 250 she is a good little motor with a big hart.
Good luck
Desert Dove

I think the first thing that I am going to do before I put the engine in the car is to install Clifford Performance Headers. 4 barrel carb and intake and HEI can be done once the engine is in the car. I think that with those things under the hood, she'll start to turn heads.


I do have a concern with the Clifford Headers and the factory intake. On the bottom of the intake, there is an opening that matches up to the "exhaust choke" on the exhaust manifold. The fact that the headers does not have this and the intake does, is that going to cause a problem?

The Offenhauser manifold will bolt to the stock exhaust manifold. I have a 62 Nova with a 71 engine. I also have a 66 194 with the Offenhouser manifold and Holley 390 carb.

I was just thinking about my 71 engine in the 62-67 Nova. Look at the location of the dipstick in the two blocks, I think you will find they are different which will cause a slight problem with the pan. The 62-67 Nova is a center or front sump and I know on my 71 it is a rear sump. I did use the 71 pan and made it fit with some information supplied by Twisted Six (Larry). email me if you want, I think I may have some pictures.

67NovaDeuce
The later yr blocks can be used with the rear pickup(sump pickup) But the Oil pan will need to be dimpled in at the drag link. Also The only person at this time That makes headers for the 62-67 Novas is clifford and if you go with the Full size/lenght headers The Front 3 tubes go under the drag Link This is something I didn't like So I had Built my own Headers. You can Also go with cliffords shortie headers Or You can Buy a set of StoveBolts cast exhaust.(from Tom Langdon)

Now to Just touch Base On Intakes The Offey will offer better Low to Mid range power an tork. Where as the clifford will Offer better Mid to Upper ranger Power & tork. So now to get more into the Power/Hp side of things a Nice Pick for a cam and Inatke Headers/Dual exhaust.Good Head work. Will not be that hard to get a good 250HP (plus or minus) The HP can vary Due to many things that You pick and How well You plan things out. One thing to keep in mind is that When Picking your Parts and Goal for the car/Motor To try and keep everything as matched as you can and The Happier you will be with the Out come of Your High performace of your L6.
Now also To Touch Base a Little as to Trannies The Turbo 350 short shaft,Sag. Muncies all will fit with out having to worry about the Drive shaft. The 700r with Need The cross member to have Mods and so will the Drive shaft. I hope this helps and If you have any other Questions feel free to just fire away with them .}[oooooo]