The old sixes
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Saratoga USA
The old sixes
I like the old AMC 6 too. Seven, count 'em, seven main bearings, fully counterweighted crank, and much easier to work on than a slant 6. Also, the intake manifold bolted on, many older Ford sixes had the intake integrally cast with the cylinder head. Made changing to a larger carb very difficult and expensive. 110 net HP in my 1973 Gremlin (don't laugh, the other choices were a 4 cylinder Pinto or a Vega).
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: redding U.S.A.
The old sixes
hopefully after my crane cam comes in, the electric fan, and the head get a porting, i should be able to break all the other stock ratings 
I was pretty sure i wanted a 351, and started saving up for one, but then i realized in order to put a 351 in the truck, i would have to take the 300 out! That, I simply will not do.
The only problem is how everytime i talk about the *head, i have to edit my post from "heads" to "head"
I was pretty sure i wanted a 351, and started saving up for one, but then i realized in order to put a 351 in the truck, i would have to take the 300 out! That, I simply will not do.
The only problem is how everytime i talk about the *head, i have to edit my post from "heads" to "head"
Posting Guru
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From: Southwestern Michigan
The old sixes
Originally posted by ggarrahan
I like the old AMC 6 too. Seven, count 'em, seven main bearings, fully counterweighted crank, and much easier to work on than a slant 6. Also, the intake manifold bolted on, many older Ford sixes had the intake integrally cast with the cylinder head. Made changing to a larger carb very difficult and expensive. 110 net HP in my 1973 Gremlin (don't laugh, the other choices were a 4 cylinder Pinto or a Vega).
I like the old AMC 6 too. Seven, count 'em, seven main bearings, fully counterweighted crank, and much easier to work on than a slant 6. Also, the intake manifold bolted on, many older Ford sixes had the intake integrally cast with the cylinder head. Made changing to a larger carb very difficult and expensive. 110 net HP in my 1973 Gremlin (don't laugh, the other choices were a 4 cylinder Pinto or a Vega).
I could get the tires (tire) to burn through first and chirp them in second, which was pretty good for an 11 year old, junky,$125 car.
I would buy another 73 gremlin if I found one...it would be fun to tinker with.
what was the original question on this post?.........lol
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Saratoga USA
I got the Gremlin brand new in November 1972, I was 16 at the time, my first new car! My dad said he'd get me either a Pinto, Vega, or Gremlin, so I said I'd take the Gremlin with the 304 CID V-8. He said ok on the Gremlin, no way on the V-8, so I got the 258 with the Torque Command (Mopar Torque Flight 904) automatic. I even had the Levis interior with the bucket seats and shifter on the floor. I really wish I has kept that car, I'd have restored it by now. The original question was something about older 6 cylinder engines, and back in 1973, the Ford sixes were not real desireable engines as I recall. A 250 in a Maverick could not take my "hot" 258!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Saratoga USA
The mid sixtes GM OHC six was designed and manufactured by Pontiac, not Chevrolet. It started out in 1966 at 230 CID, and if I'm not mistaken, was later enlarged to 250 CID. This engine was available as standard in the Tempest and later the Firebird. There were even 4 barrel versions! I think it was eliminated in 1969, after that Pontiac used the Chevy 250 six. No Chevy inline six that I'm aware of had overhead cams. As a note, the Pontiac motor pioneered the use of a belt to drive the camshaft.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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A little off topic, but....
Are these I6's worth much? I swapped mine out for a 460 and had it rebuilt to put in a swather. I was thinking about selling it. It was a great motor for me.
What would be a fair price?
Are these I6's worth much? I swapped mine out for a 460 and had it rebuilt to put in a swather. I was thinking about selling it. It was a great motor for me.
What would be a fair price?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 661
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From: Villa Ridge, MO
Ehhh...in all honesty they are a dime a dozen. You can find the 300 and TONS of parts almost anywhere. Because of that, I dont think the value of the motor is real high for rareity reasons. What made them soo good it that you got such a great motor for a base model price. That is why there is such a big following with the 300...and other I-6 motors. IMHO......The 300 is the way to go.....roomie, great power, and durable! My 2.......now what was the orignal post again?!?!?!?!?!?! hahaha 
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Vancouver, WA
Um, sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is a swather?
And I don't know the HP and torque comparison numbers either, but I rather liked the inline six in the '78 Nova I had. My positive experience with the configuration was one of the reasons I chose a truck with the same.
Senior User
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Swather: used to cut grain growing in a field and place in rows to be picked up by the combine. Lots of the old ones were powered by a ford I6, because they were torquey and reliable.
I have a Inline 6 in my 72 Nova, but it didn't seem to be the motor the ford was. But the Nova is my ditch car so it is pretty beat up and under serviced.
66MM
I have a Inline 6 in my 72 Nova, but it didn't seem to be the motor the ford was. But the Nova is my ditch car so it is pretty beat up and under serviced.
66MM
Last edited by 66MercMan; Oct 10, 2003 at 08:31 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
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From: Running Springs CA
The "truck only" in-line sixes were the Ford 300 and Chevy 292. The biggest Dodge slant-six was a measly 225, also used in cars as were the Ford 240 and Chevy 250, which I had in my '71 C10 pickup. As has been stated, the Jeep six also has passenger car origins, but is a good engine. The jury is still out on the new GM straight six used in the Envoy/Trailblazer.
Jim
Jim
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Ohio
I think the 240's went in the trucks too, but I'm not positive. Also someone asked if the 300 was the biggest I6 gas motor. And yes it was. Was used in the old milk trucks, bread trucks etc for the torque and reliablilty.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
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From: Coal Region
the 240 was used in truck until its demise also. the 300 was the biggest gas motor used in pick ups but i remember a fellow member sayin he read about a 504 CI international inliner and im almost positive it was gas...imagine that in an older F-400+
