I have a 1970 w/ an I-6 250. Stock comes with 155HP and it has a slightly larger cam in it (don't know the specifics). It has the powerglide tranny in it too. I am not looking to race, but would like to jog a little. If I could get 225HP out of it I would be happy. I am looking to spend around the $500 range - - otherwise I may as well graduate to an 8. Currently has a rodchester single carb which I know is starving it for air. The engine has 250,000 miles on it with one rebuilt and runs like a champ - hence I would hate to just discard it.
Would like to hear what options I have.

$500 will not get you very far even if you had a V8. I would spend some money upgrading your trans to a TH350 with a shift kit and re-curve your distributor. That will not give you any more power but should make it feel faster, then save up for a V8.

Steve R.

I had a 6 in my 69 before I swapped it out for a 355 around three years ago.

I agree with Steve that $500 wont do much for an engine of any kind. I had researched this thoroughly a few years back and was amazed at the power that was to be had for an I-6.

There was an 70's nova in Super Chevy a few years back that the owner had worked over his engine with a larger intake and 3 weber 2 barrels, with headers, cam, ignition, etc. He squeezed out close to 300 ponies!

The cost... not sure exactly, but it was high enought that I knew it would be cheaper to go with a small block.

Thanks for the input. That's what I was afraid of. My alternative plan was to put in a ZZ4 or a Becks engine next year - I think that is where I am headed again.

Look again at the post above (TURBO 350)Gears are good. With the Powerglide, you're starting out in the equivalent of SECOND gear in a TH350!!! And, if you're a good shopper, $500 will do it.

a friend of mine used to race those I-6 years ago. those were the motors of choice. his motor made so much torque, that he broke the flexplate bolts twice. to keep the motor from continuing to snap the bolts he had to drill the crank and flexplate to add in 5 more dowel pins. there is power out of those motors, but it will run up some money. check out Cliffords. they make many(or still stock) I-6 parts. i have seen a 292ci punched out to 302ci with dual carbs, headders and what not. but the money he put into it, he could have built a big block.

but then again the motors you are looking at are rather pricey too. personally i would go with the V8. but remember all the rest of the things you need to change, springs, motor mounts, radiator, etc.

later, JS

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Ryan1970,

Back in the days when a 327 was a new kid on the block, a full house 302 "GIMMY" truck engine could hold its own with the V-8's.
It was just an uncle to your engine. A "3/4-type" cam, take the exhaust manifold off the intake and have a welder "split" it to make three cylinder "duals", take the intake off and go to the "bone yard" and scrounge up two extra intakes. Cut the carb flanges off. Keep the carbs. Next cut two holes in the end "90 degree corners of your stock manifold and again have a welder weld the two extra carb flanges on. Make a "progressive" throttle linkage so that the middle comes in first with the other two coming on together about 2/3rds throttle.

You will end up with a "home-made" cammed, tri-carbed, split exhaust bad a-- Six-banger that with the right trans and rear gears will give a warmed over 350 a run for its money. And you did it yourself with junkyard parts. Of course, this only works if your engines head has a separate intake/exhaust system. If it doesn't, go get a head that does, they should be cheap. Just my thoughts. Good luck. pdq67

PS The sound of a "split six" exhaust with a set of "smitties" on it is "oh my God" music to the ears as it rpm's both up and down, through the gears. Once heard, you will never forget it.

Woah... I thought i was the only one trying to do the six. If you want performance parts for your six, go to cliffordperformance.com I got som headders and a cam for my 230 ci. and it made my 68 fly. im also going to the three side drafts. Im putting carbs off of a datsun 240z on. If youre like me and cant spend 360$ PER CARB, its your best bet.

Importkiller,

Thats the way a friend of mine's older brother made a 261 "Gimmy" back in '64 or '65.
He put 4.56's ( or possibly 5.13's) under it with a pair of "recap" 8.50/14 slicks and a "three on the floor" in a two door '55 chevy and had a lota fun at the old 1/8th mile strip at Kahoka, MO. He ended up with several trophies. pdq67

I used Clifford parts on a Jeep 258 cu in straight 6. I added headers, an aluminum intake with a Holley 450 carb, and an electronic ignition system. It made quite a bit of difference and was still a torque monster.

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Scott
'69 400SB, Richmond 5-speed; '99 HD Road King Classic
www.geocities.com/sdenning1 (http://www.geocities.com/sdenning1)