Chevy 250 inline 6 swap

Jayce

New member
I bought a rust bucket 1968 IH Scout 800A that had a 196 slant 4. I figure that it hadn't been ran for a very long time because I torn it apart and found every internal part coated in rust. However, looking at IH Parts America's prices for a rebuild, and I looked around for an alternative engine. A buddy of mine runs a off-shore vessel that has two Chevy 250's with Mercruiser parts out fitted. He has one completely overhauled as a back up but he didn't build it with the Mercruiser manifolds, pumps, etc. He said I could have it. That Chevy has their famous bell housing pattern so the IH housing will fit. I have the T90 so I prefer not to use a V8

How much would take to fit it? Motor mounts? Radiator?

Have yall fit one in?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
This isn't a reverse rotation engine? I know some marine application engines are reverse rotation.

Can you elaborate on this "famous pattern" and your assertion that it will interchange with the IH T-90 pattern? Wouldn't an adapter be necessary to make the union?

Other obvious hurdles that come to mind include accounting for the significant difference in block length between the I-4 and I-6...potential oil pan to axle clearance...coolant plumbing. None of which would be insurmountable for a semi-skilled fabricator. I'm sure this particular engine swap into an 80/800 has been done by someone in the past, but I don't think it is very commonplace.
 
The "famous pattern" is the bell housing pattern on the Chevys after 1962 I believe. As far as I'm aware that is one of the main reasons why LS swaps are popular. I have eye-balled the housing on the Chevy and it looks a good fit. My concern is the input shaft length, which I have found an adapter for. As far as reverse rotation, I doubt. My buddy took the Chevys off of wrecked trucks. From pulley to flywheel the Chevy measured 31 inches, the IH measures 28 inches. Another concern is deck height. However, I do believe, please correct me if I'm wrong, IH put a AMC 258 inline 6 in the Scout. Whether on the T90, I dont know. Also Clutch linkage will be a problem.
 
In other words, the same pattern as SBC, which still requires an adapter to mate with the T-90. If the engine came out of a truck originally, then it would be standard rotation. What I was referring to applies to some engines that were designed specifically as marine power plants.
The 258 was available in the later SII, but not an option in the prior models. The 232 was an option in the S800.
 
The 232 powered Scout 800's used the same engine bay configuration as the V8. It's completely different than a 4cyl engine bay configuration.
 
Back
Top