Where to buy remanufactured 230/250 L6

[chadvice]

Hello folks!

Newbie and first time poster here. I searched the forum threads first for an answer before posting here. I acquired a beautiful 1965 C10 about six months ago, and I've been working steadily to bring her back to life. I was told she sat in a Georgia farm field for quite some time. She has some bad knocks and has been hemorrhaging oil, and while I have been nursing that problem, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new engine that my mechanic friend will be helping me install.

The current engine is likely a 230 L6 (if original), and I understand it and the 250 have the same geometry so either should be fine. I want to stick with the same engine for an easier install. I've been price shopping the parts stores (O'Reilly, Advance, AutoZone), and it seems they only carry part numbers DC74 and DC76, which apparently correspond with the later 250. It's not entirely clear what the difference is between DC74 and DC76. Another online vendor, remanufactured.com, mentions a part "DC30" that corresponds with the original 230, but it seems like it would be easier to just deal with a major chain like O'Reillys.

Any collective wisdom or experience on where to pick up my replacement 250?

Thanks in advance,
Chad

[Warrens69GMC]

A local machine shop would be better than a chain, and you can specify non-original parts for the 250 - like 307 pistons and a "performance camshaft"

[Carl Spangler]

If the block is original you should try to rebuilt it. Maybe swap the crank for a longer stroke 250 crank.

[Warrens69GMC]

Also, since you are around Tampa, look for a mercruiser 165 inline-6, the same 250 chevy

[jfnar]

If you buy an engine avoid the ones with integrated heads. The head and exhaust manifold are cast in one piece and tend to crack easily. If you get a screaming good deal on one with integrated head you can replace the head with the head and exhaust manifold from your 230.

[RichardJ]

Whoever you get an engine from, you really want to be able to talk to the rebuilder in person.
On your remanufacturer.com page they mention 2-bolt and 3-bolt starter. You want the 2-bolt which means you can use the 2-bolt v8 style bolt UP starter and can still use the 3-bolt, that bolts BACK into the bellhousing.
They mention smog and AIR heads. You really don't want those, but if you do get them , you have to plug the holes.
The integrated exhaust manifold heads are 1979-85 heads and you REALLY DO NOT want those.
The heads will have spark plug holes, either for the older, larger gasketed spark plugs or the newer, smaller tapered spark plugs. The tapered seat plugs starting in '71 will possibly have hardened exhaust valve seats. That's around the time when the unleaded gas started.
I looked up some of those reman engine numbers you mentioned and found some engines pictured with fiber cam gears. Ask for the aluminum cam gear.

['68OrangeSunshine]

If I had a C/10 truck with an OEM 230, I would be inclined to bump it up to a 250. The block is the same size outwardly. While for Inliners, the Chevy 292 is the Big Block of the L6 world, upgunning to a 292 requires a rare 292-only passenger side motor mount, and accessory brackets like AC and P/S get hard to come by. [My '68 C/10 Stepside came with a production L25, 292 L6, so I'm biased.]
Board Member, Twisted6, Larry Page was president of the Daytona chapter of Inliners International. He might have a line on Florida area rebuilders. You could try a PM.
Some sources:
www.12bolt.com
www.cliffordperformance.com
www.inliners.org
Does anybody have recent experience with an O'Reilly 250 L6 Reman?
What's their quality level gotten to currently?
What kind of warranty does it have?