If you're eyeing the 308, keep the 351 as an option. It's been a pretty darned successful kit.

 

GBAUTO I agree that the carb is still an issue. The compression was low, but not so low that it would be impossible to get anything out of the carb alone. I was at 50 and the bottom end of the "OK" spec was 60 something. I will pinesol soak with the downtime I now have.

IDRIDR Yeah, I've heard the 351 kit is a great setup. Trying to stick to a budget which I think the 351 is a little beyond. The 308 kit was more reasonable. Yesterday my neighbor mentioned that I should think about re-honing the bore and re-ringing to save money. Once I open up the engine and get a look at the condition, I'll be able to make that call. If the piston is usable I may re-ring and hone, if not then it seems cost effective to get that 308, since the 250 piston/gaskets/rings will easily surpass $200.

 

Success!! redid the rings and honed, and put it all back together. It starts and runs with my hand on the throttle but once I take it off, dies. The above su****ions that there was still a carb problem are correct. Time to dunk that in some nasty stuff and she'll be 100 percent.

Ended up not doing the MCM mod... wanted an authentic 250 experience before diving into the upgrades

 

I never soak the entire carb. I pull the brass, idle mix screw, needle, etc, everything. Then soak the brass in hoppes #9 gun cleaning solvent 24 hrs. (You won't believe your eyes) Blow out all the passages ways with carb cleaner and a rubber tipped blow gun. I wear readers too!