Straight 6 & three on the tree builds character & makes for great memories. V8 & auto might allow a new driver to not feel they need to concentrate on driving as much, plus all the potential hazards of a faster old vehicle, ya know?
No matter what you put your daughter in when it's time to get behind the wheel, she'll thank you for making sure she knows how to operate a manual transmission. Speaking from experience (and thanking my own dad).
I saved a 65 mustang engine in about the same state by adding 2 quarts of diesel to the oil and driving it casually for a week then switching to 5-20 oil ... It must have had stuck oil rings because it worked well, and then we got the new roller cam 5.0 so we never got to play with that original engine any more.
It's always cheaper to buy a rig someone else has restored, than to go through all the cost overruns you'll have restoring it yourself. Unless you enjoy the work and have the time, in which case I'd put in the 350.
Save the inline 6 for rebuild and in the meantime, replace it with the 350 from the Chevelle. When the time comes, teach your daughter to "row through the gears". This way, she will definitely appreciate the turbo 350 auto. How is the weight loss and fitness coming along? My A1C was almost 8 and I was very overweight. The AIC at 8 scared me so I lost 36 lbs. and cut out most of the sugar, starch, and bread from my diet and have picked up on fitness activities. My AIC is back to 5 and the doc was impressed. Stick with it! You can do it and you body and family will thank you for the added years on your life. Just DON"T screw it up with getting "vaccinated" with the COVID clot shot. 👍👍
If you put the 350 in that truck your daughter will NOT be getting it. You will not want to give it up….😂 A 350 in that truck will run like a race car. Plus you will be able to tow a ton of stuff for other projects. Might have to upgrade brake package so it will stop. Power brake conversion kit will apply either way. You will not like how it stops after you do get it road worthy and especially if your daughter will eventually be driving it. Also might need some beefing up of front end suspension systems with 8 cylinder replacing 6 cylinder. As for engine after sitting @17 years the oil rings on the pistons will most likely be shot especially if you started it up without pre-lubing the cylinder walls. Also gas tank should be flushed out and pressure tested to make sure it has no leaks. Old tanks hold up real well are normally just might need to be cleaned out real good or polished so fuel is good. Just pull it and swap out the 6 for the 350. You will not regret it.
Keep the 6. I got 4 K20s all straight sixes. Easy to fix, fun to drive and I'm getting over 20 MPG.
Straight 6 & three on the tree builds character & makes for great memories. V8 & auto might allow a new driver to not feel they need to concentrate on driving as much, plus all the potential hazards of a faster old vehicle, ya know?
Dude the Chevelle engine is the way to go.
Thanks for the comment!!!
No matter what you put your daughter in when it's time to get behind the wheel, she'll thank you for making sure she knows how to operate a manual transmission. Speaking from experience (and thanking my own dad).
The good news is, I have other manual transmission vehicles. Both of my kids will have to learn. I agree, it's a valuable skill to have.
I loved my 68 three on the tree same color I wish I had never gotten rid of it. It’s a long time before my daughter will be driving it
Who knows, maybe you'll find another
Use the chevelle 350 but use all the correct water pump and brackets and pulleys make it look correct for ‘68.
I like that idea!!!
I saved a 65 mustang engine in about the same state by adding 2 quarts of diesel to the oil and driving it casually for a week then switching to 5-20 oil ... It must have had stuck oil rings because it worked well, and then we got the new roller cam 5.0 so we never got to play with that original engine any more.
It really is a tough decision. I'll try the diesel fuel and see what happens. Thanks for the tip.
It's always cheaper to buy a rig someone else has restored, than to go through all the cost overruns you'll have restoring it yourself. Unless you enjoy the work and have the time, in which case I'd put in the 350.
It can be, but where is the challenge or fun in tha?. This truck will wear it's patina as a badge of honor.
I like the six but if i had the chance to put a 350 i would do it in a blink of an eye .
I completely agree
Try and save the 6..... I wouldn't build the 6..... but the v8 would be easy
It's been a tough decision. Still pondering this one.
Stay with the straight 6, everyone has a v8
Let’s make your daughter happy and go with 350 automatic. U won’t regret it lol
Thanks for the comment
Timing issues
Save the inline 6 for rebuild and in the meantime, replace it with the 350 from the Chevelle. When the time comes, teach your daughter to "row through the gears". This way, she will definitely appreciate the turbo 350 auto. How is the weight loss and fitness coming along? My A1C was almost 8 and I was very overweight. The AIC at 8 scared me so I lost 36 lbs. and cut out most of the sugar, starch, and bread from my diet and have picked up on fitness activities. My AIC is back to 5 and the doc was impressed. Stick with it! You can do it and you body and family will thank you for the added years on your life. Just DON"T screw it up with getting "vaccinated" with the COVID clot shot. 👍👍
Thanks for the comment. Last I checked, I was down 6 pounds
If you put the 350 in that truck your daughter will NOT be getting it. You will not want to give it up….😂
A 350 in that truck will run like a race car. Plus you will be able to tow a ton of stuff for other projects. Might have to upgrade brake package so it will stop. Power brake conversion kit will apply either way. You will not like how it stops after you do get it road worthy and especially if your daughter will eventually be driving it. Also might need some beefing up of front end suspension systems with 8 cylinder replacing 6 cylinder.
As for engine after sitting @17 years the oil rings on the pistons will most likely be shot especially if you started it up without pre-lubing the cylinder walls. Also gas tank should be flushed out and pressure tested to make sure it has no leaks. Old tanks hold up real well are normally just might need to be cleaned out real good or polished so fuel is good. Just pull it and swap out the 6 for the 350. You will not regret it.