250 L-6......2B or not 2B?

Hey guys. What's the scoop on this motor? I have heard great reviews from people that I talk with about my van, but I see a TON of you van-guys that have gone to an 8. What gives? Are you guys looking for HP? Or is there something I should know about the 6?

Thanks!-John

John,
The L6 motor is an awesome motor and works great! Unless you do want more HP or have an issue with the motor you have there is no reason to switch. Most of our member who have or are switching to V8's want more power just have a favorite V8 they like to put in everything. That is my case I have a L6 250 in my van and it works fantastic, I just have a thing for 327's and will someday put one in.....

For you? If your L6 is good and works for you. Why fix it if it ain't broke right? I have a spare 250 as well!

Dan

A good 250 will develop a lot of low-end torque.
Bigger cylinders and a long arm pulls better from idle.
Notice that tractors haven't gone to V8s, but remain big 4s or 6s?
It's about low RPM torque vs. high RPM horsepower.
A V8 will provide more total power, is a fairly easy swap and lots of people love V8s for good reason.
But if yours has adequate power and does what you need (accel, cruise, MPG, and ease of servicing), why change?

There are plenty of inline purists too! If your ride with a detailed L6 is showing side by side with the same ride with a detailed V8, people will take special notice of the L6. I'm not familiar wiht Chev L6s, but just for kicks, visit Clifford Performance website. They have performance products for the 250 (though I have not shopped with them). I'm sticking with my Sixes because that's what I got, and I like to be different!

The doghouse is a thing you want to address. If it's like my 66 I think it's to small for a V8. My inline 6 runs fine. Donivan has one in his van going on 500000 miles so that tells you something right there. it's easier to work on when things need changing. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks guys. I took her down the road today for the first time since I get her. I can feel the low end pull, but I am wondering about cruising speeds above 55. I hope that the 3 speed plus whatever gears I have will be adequate.

Yeah, I tend to want to be different too, thus the van. That 6 banger does seem to have a "mysterious" quality. As long as there are parts, I'm game.

Now, where are is that "Chevrolet" embossed chrome valve cover?

-John

Dude,

I love my 6. It gets me on down the road and it just turned 69,000 miles. Yeah...I am one of the lucky ones. It had 49,000 on it when I got it on the road just shy of four years ago.

http://www.cliffordperformance.net/

http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/

Good stuff on both of those websites. Saving my pennies. Sometimes these things come up on ebay as most of you already know. The cast iron headers on the stovebolt website are next on my list at the moment. They look awesome and I have read many good things about them.