The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop anyone done a 250/700r4 setup? got questions about it....

65 c-10 swb. its got the original tired 283 that im wanting to replace. it will basically just be a cruiser, so i want to have an automatic in it plus an engine that would give me the best mpg. now i have in mind a 250, but ive read alot of posts with people boasting 20 to 23 mpg with a 350/700r4 setup with good highway gears.

my question: with good highway gears and a 250/700r4, what could i expect for mpg and power? i want to have a bit of towing power, but still go 70+ mph down the highway without a load. yes ive thought of the 292, but i really wanna bring the mpg down as much as possible. now 20mpg sounds great to me, could a 250 achieve better or is this all wishful thinking?

I,ve got a 350/700-4R in my 70 & i,ve tuned & tuned & can,t get over 18 at best. My 58 with the same engine & T-5 seems to do better but I have never driven it enough to really tell. I think a 250 would be very sluggish.

I don't think a 250 will get any milage with a 700R4, the torque curve is not what it needs to be at 1700 t0 1900 rpm. You will be better off with a 350 with a stock type cam. A 292 will do better then the 250 and should be about equal to the 350 in milage. Of course the 350 will out power both of them. Just look back at what the factory used and go from there.

Rebuild the 283 for the correct answer.

I agree with 53moneypit. The 283 and a 700r would be a nice combo if mileage is what you are looking for. Stick a nice 2 barrel on it and run it.

I've got a used 250 I would be happy to swap for your sluggish 283! If you don't use it of course... 8-)

thanks for the input every body, i really appreciate it. good advice, i was afraid of having to go the normal v8/700r4 combo but i guess people go that way for a reason. just like those inline 6's so much.......