Thread: Chevy Inline 6's

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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.

Please list complete cam specs and compression ratio.

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.

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

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

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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"

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.