The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Can you make a 230 .......???

I found a 230 engine in an older chevy van, the type with the engine in the middle. I thought it was a 250 but according to the head numbers its probably a 230. Could only find 4 numbers on the head. The numbers are 4437. The block is the common 3850817 which could be either. I went to www.butlers-a1.com and found the casting numbers. Anyhow, I did a compression check and it evidentally had an overhaul. The cylinders hot with wide open throttle is as follows...170, 165, 165, 165, 170, and 165. Thats really good for those old stovebolts. It runs smooth and idles smooth. No "funny" noises or cold sounds and no smoke or blow by. All the plugs were dry and no oil on any of them. My question is since I can get this engine at a good price can you make it run like a 250? I was thinking of some headwork, roller rockers and a modest 4bbl with HEI and the MSD I already have and 3" Magnaflow which I already have in my 87 full size pick up with a 700R4 and 3.73 axle ratio. I would like some ides or opinions please. Hard to find the older 250s ( non integral manifold ) in good shape that don't need rebuilding or a valve job at least. Thanks Henry

Nothing wrong w/a good 230,,you will never notice the 20 missing cubes, Brian

Curious question, does your 87 have 250 in it and if so what type of gas mileage do you get? Looking at an 84 with 250 TH350 and thinking of swappping in either 700 or 2004r.

My 87 has a TBI 350 and runs real well but too thirsty for the amount of driving I do. The 700R4 would be a better choice as it is stronger built than the 200. The one you are looking at has the integral manifold. Don't care for them as they cannot be modified with better carbs and the heads are not interchangable with the older style. Can't change the exhaust either. I had one up till about 2 months ago. You should get 17 around town and about 22 hwy. Somewhere around there. Mine had the 700 in it already. Just purrs down the road. 84 was the last of the inlines. A few maybe were made in 85. Mine had the 2SE carb. I had to rebuild it and it ran ok. If you can get it for a good price I would go for it. I wish you the best. If it is in good cosmetic shape you might want to find the older style engine and put that in. There is much you can do with that style. Have a great weekend. Henry ps, even a 230 in good shape like the one I'm getting would run real well in it and get real good mpgs.

I've got a spare non-integral head so I'm ok there. As far as 700 vs 2004r I have a 99 tow beast so this would be a driver, and I'm light footed so the 2004r would be fine. I had good luck with my 2bbl rebuild in my 82 but agree the integral head is junk.

Have you given any thought to TBI on the 230? Would have to swap the ECM ($40 ebay) injector to 4.3 and figure out the distributor. But since your truck is already TBI you have 90% of what you need. Supposedly this gives a tremendous boost to low end driveability.

Hey D13, you know, thats an interesting idea. I started that engine again today and its sounds great! It started one the first try. Can hardly wait to get it all together to install in my truck. The thing is that my truck is a half ton but also a 4x4. I know from reading about the older trucks when I was much younger that they did put the 230 in the 4x4 until the mid 60s along with the 292 stump puller before the 250 came out in 66'. Thats why I was wondering if it would be enough power to run it ok. Not looking for blinding speed anyway. I do need enough power to climb some passes but with that kind of compression since it evidentally had a rebuild not too long ago and with 3.73 rears it might not be too bad after all. Am thinking of making it a 250 with a crank change and some balancing and headwork. Then it should good enough for me. I have had 4.3s and love them but nothing like the sound or purr of an inline and better low end torque per cu.in too. The 230 engine idles super smooth and no flat spot when throttling it either. So a 4.3 ECM may work? Hmmmm. Something to think about. As you mentioned I have 90% of what I need for that. I will install an HEI ignition on it, one for a 4.3 I don't think will fit. If it did or I could modify one to fit it, then it could be controlled by the ECM to know when to fire the injector. I'm hoping to pull the six from the van this week. I need an engine hoist to rent for the job. Been awhile since I pulled an engine. I hope it won't be too much work. Just have to figure out which motor mounts I need for it. Then the exhaust which is on the correct side for a six on the truck. Just have to figure out how to bring down the manifold pipe to the rest of the system. A challenge for sure but it will be done. I'm determined to do it and I know I'll like the mpg savings and more room under the hood. Simple as apple pie to work on. Thanks for your input. Feel free to share with me your ideas. Thanks again. Henry