The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop V6 vs V8, why not be different

Well this was another one of those mornings that something I’d been dreaming about woke me up at 04:00. The thought? Why don’t you see more V6 installations in the AD trucks? I realize that it’s not as macho as a V8 and that there are tons of small block Chevy V8’s out there and that there a lot more options when using a V8. That 350 is just fine if your looking to beat the guy along side of you to the next stop light, but for a nice driver or for cruising I would think one of the V6’s would make a real sweet conversion. Now don’t ya think this would look great under your hood: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/HT-34-V6-Crate-Engine-S10-Truck-Repower-12363230-P25C2.aspx

If you didn’t want to go the crate engine route then you could pick up a junker. Finding a V6 longitudinal engine in the scrap yard might be a bit more of a challenge than a V8 but they are out there and they put out plenty of power to pull one of our AD trucks.
I would think that one would fit in the space allotted much nicer than a V8.

And hey, as an added bonus it would still have that Fenton header roar to it.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

if your going to be different go for broke scrap the V- anything go with a inline too many ppl these days go with the V-8s or V-6s the old inlines were some of the best engines made and will and have outlasted any V-8 not to mention for an engine that old get good mileage don't fool yourselves gas prices will go back up majorly

not to mention most V-6 apps require alot of computer stuff for the fuel injection smog control ect..

Well, I have a stovebolt six, 261 in my old truck and no amount of persuasion will get me to swap it. My car has a V6, my two work trucks have SBC engines and in case I want to beat that guy at the light, I have my SS396 Chevelle. So I don't mind chugging along in my old panel, it will be the only one in town. So I'm already different than everyone else in a culture where everyone tries to fit in by being similar. But, to each his own, more power to those who want to go the V6 route (pun intended)

what about the atlas gm engine straight 6 from bravada and others. maybe a inline 5????????? ron

I agree with Denny, a V6 is a good conversion. I know how bad the gas mileage is in the stovebolt six and a V6 does have plenty of power. Another idea for engines in the AD would be a VW diesel, small enough to fit in there and strong enough to pull. Also the VW diesel is great on mileage; my 02 beetle gets 44/48 mpg. Of course the beetle is a little lighter than the AD but still...
Another point is, the VW diesel will outlast in mileage most engines; as they say, "that engine will still be running when the body has rusted out."

Denny:
For those of us with GMC's, we would say, amen, brother! Please visit 6066gmcguy.org for a V6 truly worthy of your Stovebolt, that will bolt in.
Regards,
Steve
New Orleans

I got to tell You my sons and son in laws went to 3 car shows last year and all but mabe two trucks had small block chevy V8s in them and all the hot rods had them ,I'm going to keep My inline in there ,I understand that small blocks are cheap to build and You get alot of HP for Your money but it would be cool to see V6s and more inlines . You gotto build Your own truck the way You want I like all the trucks and hot rods You get everyones ideas but build the truck You want and You are going to drive , Pete

I love the 230s and 250s, poor oil on them and they'd run forever and simple to work on. Had one in my c20 way back when.

As a matter o'fact I would have rather had a 6 in my 52 that the SBv8 (the block was readily available), but am still happy none the less

The V/6 should make a great conversion. Like has been posted before the 350s are plentiful,and easy to work on.There is all kinds of speed equip.available for the 350s also. I would imagine that the V/6 conversion would be more costly than a 350 or 327 V/8. I have nothing against inlines and V/6s but you get more bang for your buck with a Chevy small block.Which is why you see so many 350s at the car and truck shows.

ya know denny,
if i didn't get my 292 at a deal and puttin it in our 51 3104..... i'da gone w/ a V6
just to be different.
i've read the 6066guy and bet those are a little tough to find. maybe a lexus V6, they outta be pretty cheap or http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.theautochannel.com/autoparts/images/products/engines/tnx-737oy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.theautochannel.com/autoparts/rebuiltbestgmc/itemtnx_737ioy_8.html&usg=__GjANQEpxo-aqJPhwUj8dyIocTX4=&h=300&w=383&sz=28&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=KKX1cyJekgBsiM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dv6%2Bmotor%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN.

I think the problem with the V-6 swap is none of them go in easy, so you have all the challenges of a V-8 swap without the V-8 advantages.

Talking about how tough those 6 bangers are reminds of the '68 chevy nova i had.I had a rad leak one time,and it was during winter.I had just dropped off a buddies girlfriend,started for home and my idiot light came on.I knew i needed water,but,at 3 in the morning,nothing was open.So, i threw a rag over the light,got on the highway and drove home.By the time i pulled into the driveway,the was knocking and hissing and all round just letting me know it did'nt like the ride.I got up the next morning(afternoon?)topped the rad up with antifreeze,and drove her for another year.Eventually got the rad fixed.Toughest little motor i ever had.

lol dale937 "more bang for the buck" you really need to visit the inliners club site atm highest speed achieved by an inline 6 was equal to a V-8s highest speed its all in how you build them

............Them ain't no stinking V-6's! Here is a V-6 for ya

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2996241110054402330LgnqHP

one other prob i see with a V-6 unless i am mistaken they run just as hot as V-8s so require a new radiator so if thats the case you just adds 400-600 dollars extra onto the swap

No way for me on the V6 thing...Give me an inline 6 anytime. Besides there are alot of after market goodies for the inline 6 for more power and looks. The V8 swap has been overdone and is getting boring.

Iron Clad

I agree with V6 Fix Modelman, I had a 63' GMC with the 305 V6 about 20 years ago. It also had plaid valve covers. Best pickup I've ever owned. Sold it to buy a ring for a girl. Lost the girl and been looking for that pickup ever since. It was in Wisconsin so the truck could be rusted away by now. But now I recently came across a 50' Chevy 3100. Which has a 230 inline 6 from a early 60's chevy. And in the last couple of weeks been trying to find a 305 V6 from a 63' GMC to replace it. I don't know how hard it would be to swap but I would love for my 50' to have the soul of my, or any, 63'. Complete with plaid of course! Oh, and the V6 wouldn't seem complete without the three in the tree!

lol iron clad a man after my own heart

I have seen a few 2.8 and 3.1 swaps on a budget, however the engines were lackluster in the s-10's. the 60 degree engines shake like a dog passing a peach pit, and the 3.4 shakes a bit more than the 2.8 due to the larger firing pulses. the later 4.3's (90 degree) have balance shafts which helps. I like the idea of the ATLAS engines for a swap. If one were to go thru the effort of swapping from an inline, I would go either V8 or diesel, just not an SBC unless it was an aluminum block (to be different)

I'd like to see someone throw a BMW or Jag straight six into an AD. It would be a pain in the neck to get running but it sure would be different. The M3 inline six makes 333 hp.

If you want to be different, put a GMC Big Block v6 in them, or maybe a flathead ford, or a ohv inline six (pontiac), or straight 8, or a v12 ford, or a v16 ford, or a v12 GMC or a 3-71 or 4-71 gmc diesel, or a perkins diesel, A nailhead 322 buick is a good engine also. There are adapters for everything now, not like the old days. I saw a guy that put an allison trans behind a flathead......the sky is the limit.

Jay leno has a roadster with a 800cu tank engine.