Chevy Inline 6's

[SgtSteve]

Hey maybe someone can help me out here...
I bought an inline 6 from an 60's Chevelle and had to overhaul it. According to the engine code it's a 194, but also a counter exchange engine. When I measured the cylinder bore, it's the same as a Chevy 230 ?? Anyways, I replaced the rod, main bearings, piston rings, lifters, valve springs, and camshaft with a performance cam. Well today I got it all back together and fired it up for the first time after having it tore apart for a couple of months. The engine ran and sounded good, but had a slightly rough idle which I believe is cam related. Does anyone know if replacing the 1 bbl carb with a 2 bbl carb will help with this problem? Other than that, the engine runs good and doesn't smoke at all.

[techinspector1]

Please list complete cam specs and compression ratio.

[Thunderbucket]

Those engines will take a two barrel with no problems.
On idle the stock engines where kinda finicky,,,some ran so smooth you couldn't hear them running,,,others alway's had a slight stumble at idle no matter what you tried.
Are you running a HEI setup on it??,,,,,if your not,,,maybee you should.

[SgtSteve]

Yes I do have an HEI ignition on it. The camshaft that I put in is a Clevite, the specs are as follows:

.509" valve lift (intake/exhaust)
224 degree duration (intake/exhaust)
108 degree lobe spread
All durations measured at .050"

As far as compression is concerned, I believe it's stock. I haven't changed anything that would alter it. I don't have my manual handy but I believe the stock compression is 8.5 to 1

[canibalchicken]

I think that's a big lift for a 1 barrel carb. I'd try a 500 cfm holly 2 barrel.

[SgtSteve]

Thanks Canibal...

500cfm's ? That sounds pretty big, considering that they suggest a 390cfm 4 bbl for a aftermarket intake manifold. (but then again, I'm assuming that's with a stock cam also)

[Thunderbucket]

You could always go with three webber side drafts,,with an apropriate intake of course.
What is this engine going into?,,,,your profile say's 66 chevy II.

[techinspector1]

That would be a healthy cam for a 350 Chevy, so I'm not surprised that it's a little shaky in a tiny little 6-banger. The next time you spec a cam and want a smooth idle, specify a Lobe Displacement Angle of 112-114 degrees instead of 108 degrees.

[R Pope]

Chevy sixes don't like much initial advance, and a hotter cam makes it worse. Retard the timing a few degrees and it will get smoother.

[SgtSteve]

Yes, this 194/230 is installed in my 66 Nova. The stock camshaft needed replacement, and I happened to find that Clevite performance camshaft for 194/230/250 for cheaper than a stock cam. I paid $50 for the camshaft, and thought that was a good deal. Honestly I didn't really understand the numbers, and didn't do alot of research on it before I bought it. I did ask the guy where I bought it from if it would be okay for a street driver and he said yes, just with a little more performance.
I will try adjusting the timing as suggested in previous reply, and see if that helps. I think that'll still look for a 2 bbl carb to replace the current 1 bbl. The only thing I would be concerned with is overcarbing the engine.

[R Pope]

500 CFM might be too much for your 194. A Rochester off a 307 will work. I've seen 250's with small 4 barrels that ran great, too, but with your mostly stock engine and smaller size, I'd stick with the smaller 2v.

[SgtSteve]

Originally posted by R Pope
500 CFM might be too much for your 194. A Rochester off a 307 will work. I've seen 250's with small 4 barrels that ran great, too, but with your mostly stock engine and smaller size, I'd stick with the smaller 2v.

Thanks R Pope,
Do you know what model # Rochester to look for, or where to find one? Also, this engine code says it's a 194 but internally a 230 cid. When I bought piston rings, I got the std 230 rings due to having a 230 bore. Would you still stick with a 2 bbl carb?

[FMXhellraiser]

Well not sure since I don't know the stock numbers on cams or anything. But here is what I CAN tell you. Like the others said, a 500cfm is way too big. I have a 500cfs on my small block Ford with a pretty nice lumpy cam in it and that is what Edelbrock and Summit racing reccomended to me. Ever look at that Cliffords site that deal with inline 6 chevys? Or try this.
www.inliners.org. Lots of info there and what I always heard is stay with a 2 barrel carb on an inline 6 because bigger isn't always better. I learned that from the guys there at Inliners.org and somewhere else that I cannot remember at this time. Those inline 6 motors are nice and run good and strong. I have a chevy 250 block sitting in my garage but my friend never gave me the head that I had him pick me up so I have no clue what to do with it now.
Good luck!

[Hopper111]

http://www.cliffordperformance.com

Great stuff for inline 6 here, girlfriend's dad uses them for the 292 inline six that he is putting into his 68 chevelle. Pretty strout little motor if you ask me. Good Luck, clifford is a little steep but they make good parts. I like their motto too- "6=8"

[FMXhellraiser]

Yup there ya go. Order their cataloge too if you wan't. Good place and I hear their parts are top quality but priced a bit high. Like they say though, you get what you pay for! I learned that lesson the hard way a few weeks ago and the years that I raced dirt bikes so try not to learn that way.