The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '72 C-10 2WD: Engine Swap...250 vs 230 ?

Hi guys !

The engine in my "new truck" ('72 C-10) is getting very sick...

A buddy has a supposed low-mileage (40,000mile) 230 from a mid-'60s car...

The 230 had an automatic behind it, my truck is a stick...

I'm hoping I can just swap the 250 flywheel onto the 230 crank and install a pilot bushing...

Are there any other "Swap headaches" lurking ?

Ultimately, I will rebuild the original 250; but I can't afford to have the truck down for more than a weekend...thus the swap...

Would appreciate any advice...


Thanks...

Frank, I think I remember it being a direct swap. Not sure if the manifolds will swap or not. Hope this helps.

Frank,as memory serves Check that the 230 going in has the 2 threaded bosses in the side of the block behind the exhaust to accept the clutch Z bar bracket bolts.
Or does yours mount off off the bellhouse?Regards,
Steve sr.

It,s a direct swap except as Steve pointed out. Although the 230 is not as good an engine it will be easy to install & serve you till you rebuild the 250 or get a V-8.

Thanks guys...

I will check-out the clutch linkage mounting bosses...


I know I'll sacrifice some torque dropping down to a 230, but it mostly an expedient right now (the 230 is sitting there waiting for a home, and the price is right...).

Gotta keep the old Bolt rolling !

I am doing the same thing with my 72 c10! I got a rebuilt 230 with only about 1K miles on it (or so I was told) for very little money and am going to put a 700r4 behind it as my 59 1 ton is my big horse. With coil springs, A/C, and a hydramatic this baby will be my caddillac!

I had a 68 camaro with the 230 in it and that was about as an indestructable motor as I have had. We ran it out of oil when an oil line failed to the point that the engine stopped from overheating. Figured that motor was toast, however, we plugged the line filled with oil, and it started up and ran like it always did. That sold me on chevy 6's. Ran the poop out of that 6 and it never put me on the pavement.

I am just about to go get that tranny as soon as I clean up another few projects. The truck originally was a 350/350 combo.

I have a 230 in my DD 64, it runs great, gives me good mileage, it is the strongest 6 I have ever had. Brian

Without dissing the older Stovebolts (235 and earlier), the last generation of Chevy sixes (1963 - 198 ? ) were the best...

That seven-main crank made for a very stout bottom-end...

That combined with the shorter stroke made for a seemingly indestructible six !


I love the 216 and 235, but I have newfound respect for the "new" sixes after my experiences with my '72 250...

I had a '64 C-10 short-bed step about 15 years ago that had a 230...replaced a few bad lifters, and that was about it...great runner...