The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Rebuild a 250 or a 283 ?

I have a '65 Chevy Stepside SWB that I am currently doing a frame off restoration on. It is equipped w/ an inline 6 250 engine and a Munice Sm 465 4 speed tranny. Neither are original to the truck, but the engine ran and the tranny is good. My question is...should I rebuild the inline 6 & Munice tranny or go with a 283 and an automatic transmission? My plan is to modify this truck (some-what)and keep 'er a while. Note: I'd need to buy a 283 and rebuild it as well, but have a possible good transmission out of a '64 long bed that I'm parting out. Thanks for any input! Janine

i would keep the 250/4 speed combo myself. the 283/ auto would prob have more mass appeal to people wanting to see a small block when they open the hood. if you are doing your frame off resto to keep orig, i would try to go back to what was orig. if you are building it to use, no need to look for a sm420- if that's what it had to start with. like i said, i myself like inline sixes and saving money- so i would build what i already have.

IMHO, the answer depends on what you long term plan is for the truck.

If you plan to keep it till you croak and or pass it down to family members then the choice is purely personal preference.

If you plan to keep it a little while and then sell it, go with the 283 or any other small block Chevy. The SBC will be an advantage to most prospective buyers.

And an automatic has better selling power than a manual shift.

And rebuild costs will be less for the SBC too.

My 2 cents...

(for the record I am a straight six fanatic, my first car had a straight six, it was dependable, easy to work on and sounded cool with a home made split manifold and glass packs)

I would personally go with the 283. You'll get more for the money with a V8 than a straight 6. I am planning to rebuild a 283 for my 64 Chevy to replace an Olds 455.

Well I have to agree with Hot Rod John. But we don't need no bent engines. Keep it straight! Gord

First up, welcome to the site. I’m also a fan of inline sixes, although the last time I owned one myself was back in the 70’s. I’d suggest the decision should consider how you want to use the truck. If you want to pull stumps and haul logs, or take heavy loads to the dumps the combination you already have will get the job done very efficiently. If the finished restoration is going to serve parade duty, the sounds of the manual transmission behind the six are very distinctive and rarely heard today.

For a daily driver however an automatic will be a lot more user friendly, whether behind a V8 or a 6. I like the economy and novelty of the 6 because so few people keep them anymore. A nice warmed over and dressed up 6 will always draw a crowd at a rod run.

On the other hand the reason the SBC is so popular is because it’s just so easy to make cheap reliable power. Everything costs less because there are so many around, and most aftermarket accessory and mounting kits favor the small V8. Good luck.

I'm running a rebuilt 250 with a Saginaw 4-speed in my '65 swb. You're welcome to come drive it if you like.

cm

Thanks for all the "answers" to my question. I just aquired a 305 for my '64 LWB Fleetside and it already has an automatic trans. After reading your posts and mulling it over, I think I'll keep the '65 SWB Stepside a straight-six w/ a the muncie manual just for something different. Thanks again! Janine

Of the later Chev sixes the 250 is the most friendly to performance mods. The 307 piston is a direct replacement. Look for a set that is flat topped and no chamber on the top edge.

Larry

id go to a 305 or a 350 rebuild kits are cheaper and the have larger valve heads and will handle the unlead fuel better with the lower compression heads, or get some other heads for your 283 you have to put some money in the old power pack heads for the unlead gas