The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Best way to get more power from my 228 ?

what is the best way to get more power out of my in line 6 ? It is a 1948 GMC 228. The motor runs really well but on a slight up grade in 4th gear it will not maintain a constant speed. I am not looking to win any races but I would like to get a little more power out of the engine. I am looking into a set of Fenton headers and adding a 2 1/2 inch exhaust. Anything eilse you guys recomend?

Thanks.

Find a 270 or a 302. The fenton's may help some on your 228. I would reccomend a dual carb setup to go along with the fentons, but I am not sure it would gain you anything.

There are a few basic items that will drastically effect your performance. First,
check the dwell, this is critical. Then get
the timing advanced as far as you can without
pinging. Check your valve lashes, there are
tech articles on this procedure on this site.
Then, jack each wheel off the ground and check
for brakes that may be dragging or hung up or
wheel bearing that may be too tight or dry.

After that you might look at some upgrades.
The Fenton's will make a difference but I'd
stick with 2" or less pipe. The larger pipes
will rob low-end torque. Also take a look at
an HEI upgrade.

That ol' 228 ought to laugh at hills and want
to accelerate (unloaded of course)

I thought of something else. (my brain works in super-slo-mo!) My friend was going to spend a lot of $$$ to put in a new cam, lifters, manifold, and carb on his 350 powered '31 F@%& coupe because he says "it doesn't have enough power"! Well, we got to looking at his throttle linkage and found out that when his foot was on the floorboards the throttle plates were only about 3/4 open. We adjusted the linkage and he's as happy as a clam now.

Little stuff like that can make a big difference in performance.

yes good point. I had a simular problem in one of my other cars. It seemed overnight that the car had lost about 1/3 of its acceleration. I took me about a day to find the problem. The drivers side floormat had worked its way up between the gas pedal and its stop not alowing the throttle plate to fully open. It was an easy fix but as you said it made a big difference in performance. I will check to see if it is opening all the way. I thought all F@%&'s were built that way ya know Fix Or Repair Daily

Thanks.