Paul Ramsey
08-13-2007, 03:10 AM
I've inherited a '66 Chevy stepside. It was my Grandfathers, so it has some "sentimental" value. It needs restoration. Correction, it needs resurection. It's been just sitting for 30yrs, so the engine & trans will need a lot of work no matter what. It came with a 250 6cyl, and "three on the tree". I'm not concerned with keeping everything original, I just want to have a nice truck that:
Gets good gas mileage (or at least good for that age/type of truck)
Is VERY reliable and that I can work on with simple tools if I choose to (as opposed to needing computer diagnostics)
My wife can drive (she refuses to drive anything but an automatic)
Can hit 75 mph (even without a tailwind and preferably up a hill)
Will actually haul half a ton (again, without the tailwind and preferably up that hill)
Of course money is always a factor. There is the "sentimental" factor that I mentioned, so I don't mind spending a "reasonable" amount to get what I want. However, there is a difference between "reasonable" and just plain silly. Most bang for the buck is the goal. Any sugestions? Rebuild the 250 to go way beyond "stock" performance and efficiency levels (something like a Clifford Performance encine)? Move up to the 292 and do the same thing? Go to a V6? What about a 327 or a 350 tuned for gas mileage? And with what transmission? Again, I'm looking for gas mileage first, reliability and ease of maintenance second, and driveability last. I'm even willing to compromise (NOT give up) on the last three to some extent.
Gets good gas mileage (or at least good for that age/type of truck)
Is VERY reliable and that I can work on with simple tools if I choose to (as opposed to needing computer diagnostics)
My wife can drive (she refuses to drive anything but an automatic)
Can hit 75 mph (even without a tailwind and preferably up a hill)
Will actually haul half a ton (again, without the tailwind and preferably up that hill)
Of course money is always a factor. There is the "sentimental" factor that I mentioned, so I don't mind spending a "reasonable" amount to get what I want. However, there is a difference between "reasonable" and just plain silly. Most bang for the buck is the goal. Any sugestions? Rebuild the 250 to go way beyond "stock" performance and efficiency levels (something like a Clifford Performance encine)? Move up to the 292 and do the same thing? Go to a V6? What about a 327 or a 350 tuned for gas mileage? And with what transmission? Again, I'm looking for gas mileage first, reliability and ease of maintenance second, and driveability last. I'm even willing to compromise (NOT give up) on the last three to some extent.