how much hp can you afford.nowadays, the skys the limit with a 302. stroke it to 347, spray it a little, turbo, supercharge. or just keep it stock with a few bolt ons. like a new cam, intake, carb, heads, headers and be in the 325+ range for not a lot of money.
The 255 was a two year only TURD. Small bores, weaker 3.00 stroke crank (it's hollow, maybe you can blow thru it and play a tune ? )The heads had small ports, small valves, there's nothing you can do to make it faster, other than maybe dropping it out the rear of a C130 at altitude. You're better off with the 6 banger. GM's 262 was around longer than that. I recall one in a friend's 73-74 Oldsmobile. And my wife's grandma had a Monza with it.
You are better off with a 200 then a 255 any day of the week. I drove an old Mustang with a 255 in it a few years ago, total junk. I personally loved my 200 when I was driving my '69.5 daily. It ran with traffic just fine around town, would run 80+ on the interstate without a problem, and got better gas mileage then my 250 by a good margin, though I never figured up the exact difference.
Ah come on guys. Don't pick on the poor little 255. I have one in my Morris Minor and I can completely bury the entire car with tire smoke. AOD, 3.90 locked gears, and a 600 Holley and it's absolutely wicked to drive. Never took it down the strip, but...............maybe next year. Any engine can be made to perform, some just take a little more work.
a briggs and stratton would move one of those along nicely. your power to weight ratio even with the "questionable 255" is still light years ahead of the mav with the same engine .
The 255 is garbage. It made 111- 117 HP at the flywheel depending on the year. If you are running an automatic you're looking at about 80-90 HP at the wheels. Probably less. For perspective sake. An 85 5.0 (Last of the 4 barrel carbed motors) made about 180-185 at the ground. And they are more abundant in junk yards. Dont do the 255! Please!!!! If I ever see another one I'm gonna tie it to a Pontiac 301 and sink it in a lake!
If your current motor is worn out, and the 255 runs fine... do the swap. It gets you ready for a 302 swap, and a more reliable motor. Otherwise, Id save up for a 302, even a junkyard one thats running. Just check it out, and re-ring,bearing it and go on your way.
Thanks guys. I am not going to mess with the 255. I am going to continue to work on the body and interior of the car while I find a 302. This car is not going to be a daily driver, so fuel mileage and staying with traffic means nothing. If anything I want to be able to fly by traffic. This car is going to be more of a weekend warrior car. Alll of your advice was very helpful. Thanks again.
