Now that I've expressed that opinion, I must admit that I've got a hotrod buildup for a 230 engine in mind. It's not going into a stovebolt pickup, however. Many years ago a bolter who no longer posts here gave me a partially-complete Excalibur roadster project, if I'd just drive to central Pennsylvania and pick it up. I'm a sucker for freebies, so I did just that. I've got ideas of making a "sleeper" hot rod, one that uses the universal bell housing bolt pattern of the small block Chevy V8. That includes the Mercruiser 4 cylinder, all of the 3rd. generation inline sixes like the 194, 230, 250, and 292, a bunch of V6's, and all the V8's. On any particular day, I could be running anything from a 153 4 cylinder to a 454 V8!
The 230 I have in mind would have a destroked crankshaft, forged lightweight pistons, NASCAR H beam connecting rods, a roller cam, and 3 side draft Harley Davidson carburetors, and would run all day at 7K+ RPM. It should sound like a bumblebee on steroids! In that fiberglass Excalibur body, it should be a Corvette killer!
Jerry
