The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop SEVERAL 250 QUESTIONS

I was given a 250 engine that was in a '64 Suburban. The numbers verify that the engine in a '64. I took the numbers to a number cruncher and it turns out that it is a '62 to '72, 250 CID/4.1L (without integral intake manifold).

My questions are:
1. What is an integral intake manifold? I can find nothing about it in my books.

2. Can this engine, after being rebuilt, be used in my '51 3100 for pulling my 800lb Teardrop Camp Trailer with 250lb of Cast Iron Dutchoven cooking stuff and all my camp gear? I intend to run it at 60-65mph most of the time on the road and the '51 has the original 4.11 gears.

3. Is "speed equipment" pretty easy to get? I want to use an Offy two carb setup like I have on the 235, with Fenton headers. I don't have to have the Offy intake or the Fentons, if you have better ideas.

I have a couple more questions but I'll post them later. This is what I need to know so that I can start planning.

Thanks in advance for your info.

Thruwurkin

P.S. Joker, I will post a response this time. I don't want you embarrassing me again.

1. An integral manifold for the 250 is one in which the intake and/or exhaust are cast as part of the head. In other words, the intake and/or exhaust don't separate from the head - it's all one single piece. Specifically in the case of the 250 both intake and exhaust manifolds were cast integrally for some years in the mid-to-late 70s through the early 80s. These type heads you generally want to avoid.

2. A healthy 250 can certainly be used to power a '51 half ton pickup and pull a thousand pounds of extra weight. It can probably do the job remarkably easy with the 4.11 gears you plan on using. I don't know if I would drive 60-65 for extended periods of time as you'd be keeping the engine well over 3k (old inlines, especially in stock form, don't like that kind of revving). You probably want to look into going with higher gears or an overdrive transmission for that kind of driving.

3. Performance equipment for the 250 is easy to get and readily available. Mild mod stuff is everywhere and fairly reasonable on Ebay. A mild cam, Offy intake (single or dual) and headers can do wonders for a 250. And you can get these add ons for less than (probably even well under) $500 if you're patient.

Fentons won't work on the 250 - they're made for the older series (pre-'62) inline sixes. Your choices for your truck (other than fabricated headers) are pretty much going to be Clifford, Dynomax, Hedman and a couple others for tube headers; and Tom Langdon's Stovebolt headers are your only choice in cast iron. Langdon's cast iron headers are cheaper than Clifford's tubes and will last forever.

-ftyler

I have an early 70's 250 in one of my 52's, that's connected to the stock 4-speed, and 4:11 rear-end.

I think you could pretty easily pull the weight you're inquiring about. The 250 has alot of spunk! However, I don't think you'll ever get the speed you speak of. Empty, I can barely get much above 60, without really winding it up.

As for the exhaust, I'm not sure where it came from, as the engine was installed by the previous owner, but I'm running what appears to be, (at least to anyone that's looked at it) a factory split manifold and duals.

Might be another option out there to look for???

I wouldn't worry too much about 60-65 mph. The 250 is a seven-main-bearing engine with relatively short stroke compared to the stovebolt sixes. Do pay particular attention to your cooling system if you plan on frequent towing in hot weather. The 250 seems prone to head warpage when overheated.

I drove a '53 half ton,stock geared w/a '57 235, about 300 miles at 3200 rpm,on 7.50 X 16's;it figured out to about 73 mph. No problems at all.
Speed

Thanks for all the input. I seems to me that I may as well keep the 235, 2 Carb, Fentons and spend the money I would have spent on rebuilding the 250 for a set of 3.55 gears.

Thanks again,
Thruwurkin