Straight 6 to V8 swap?

[Gtgmc]

I have a 1981 GMC with the 250 engine.. I bought the truck from the original owner, swapped the wheels and lowered it. So I can’t decide if I should replace the engine with a v8 or keep it original. The truck has 88 thousand miles on it and is driven only occasionally.

 

[78C10BigTen]

Stay straight!!! Everybody has a v8, not many have an 88k mile straight 6!

 

[TubeTruck]

I like how this is in the "Seats" category lol

Keep it a 6, you can't kill a 6

 

[CorvairGeek]

Since it is probably an integral head 250, keep an eye out for a non-integral head and intake manifold, if you want to keep it. I've long suspected the integral head offers better performance compared to a stock, non integral, but the cracking issue is overwhelming. You'd need the matching exhaust manifold too.

 

[Memaloose]

I'd stay with the 250. I had an '81 SWB Custom Deluxe with the 250 and 3 speed on the column for 11 years. I too thought about installing a V8 but the 250 was pretty reliable. I did have a piston come apart once but just replaced the assembly (piston, rings, connecting rod and bearings) and it ran for another eight years until I sold it. I also had the integral head and it cracked but a sales rep from NAPA, sent it to a place in Seattle to get welded and machined, it wasn't very expensive, I'm thinking less than $300 back in the mid nineties, I was living in AK at the time.
I just met a guy recently who has a '72 SWB Chevy with a 292 in it, he installed a 5 speed manual tranny and kept it looking original, very nice pickup.
It's nice to see the sixes still out there running.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Stay with the 6.

 

[EvilGenius]

Improve the 6....atlas swap it