Straight 6 or V8??

[David67]

Hey I've got the original 292 in my '67 short stepside and I am moderately hot rodding the truck. I kind of want to keep the 292 and try and build that up a little because it is a torque monster and it has a very unique sound. I also like the fact that it would be different in a sense that most people just throw a small block or big block in it and call it done. Can this engine be built up(at a reasonable price) to make my truck be pretty fast? Tell me what yall think.

[capev86]

the 292 is a great engine and there are a lot of mods you can do to modernize it (roller cam, 4 barrel or fuel injection, split exhaust, etc.) a 292 is a much more interesting setup than just another 350. it won't be as fast as a v8, but gobs of low end torque can make for a very nice daily driver and there is the fuel economy benefits to be considered. put a nice overdrive trans behind it (a modern 6 speed w/ 2 overdrive ratios comes to mind).

[slomotion]

I'd go with the 292....of course I tend to lean that way anyhow.
There's a host of things you can do to it, and you'll be just a little out of the mainstream.
Pick up a copy of Santucci's "Chevrolet Inline Six-Cylinder Power Manual", and you'll be good to go, but it's like the old fellow said, "Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?"

Good Luck!

[David67]

Thanks! Yea it has a 4speed right now with the granny low which we'll put in for now. My plans are to put it back in initially and drive around a lot with it and see how I like it (plus I've heard they're bulletproof). That's a great looking 292! Is that an Offenhauser valve cover?

[slomotion]

Yessir, it is. Since that photo was taken, I drilled a hole in the top rear of it and installed a PCV valve.

[big_al_71]

For me I would go with a V8 but hey what do I know!!

[David67]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

For me I would go with a V8 but hey what do I know!!

Haha I'm going to give the 292 a run and see if it's what I'm looking for first.

[bigsnookmaster]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

For me I would go with a V8 but hey what do I know!!

I'm with Al, but....I wonder how well a built 292 with a shot of NOS would run oin a properly set up vehicle? That would also be different,especially if it was set up as a fogger.

[David67]

Originally Posted by slomotion

Yessir, it is. Since that photo was taken, I drilled a hole in the top rear of it and installed a PCV valve.

Well it sure looks awesome. That's what I had in mind as well. Thanks for sharing! Keep 'em coming guys!

[gregg72340]

I just pulled mine out of a field after sitting for 15 years with a 292. Have really done nothing to it other than change plugs filters and fluids and it runs incredibly well. I may try and do some towing with it and see how it is, it sounds healthy and the cherry bomb that a P.O. put on it gives it a neat sound

[292farmer]

fight the crowds!! keep the inline!!

[rusty baker]

I ran at a drag strip in the early 80's. Beat many a V-8 with my 6 banger.

[David67]

Originally Posted by rusty baker

I ran at a drag strip in the early 80's. Beat many a V-8 with my 6 banger.

Very sweet video i came across of a '36 Chevy with an L6 spanking some rice burner...

YouTube- Mighty6: See Ya

[Hubscrub]

i agree keep the inline, i didn't and i miss it mine was a 250 though, i get so tired of seeing 350s, and slomotion that is one beautiful motor you can't make a any V-8 look that coollol and it is good to be different

[mixermike]

Originally Posted by 292farmer

fight the crowds!! keep the inline!!

[71meangreenc10]

Slow,
That is a sharp looking 292.

Smitty

[Shyguy]

I would be a hard put to figure which engine I like best, V-8 or L-6. The 350 V-8's are good engines, I have had a couple and they served me well, they are realitively easy to rebuild, the parts are plentiful and not as expensive.

Now that I am older the well running stock L-6 250 is just what I like. That being said if I get the urge to smoke some tires I can fire up the '71 lwb stepper with the 454. I actually like driving the '67 with the 250 best though for just cruising around the backroads.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I have a '68 C/10 shortbed stepside. The original owner RPO'd a 292 L6 and SM465 4-speed. I rebuilt another '67 292 in 1977 at .030-over [=296 actual CuIn], otherwise stock build, opting toward HD parts if available. That block ran 25 years and 250,000 miles, going down in 2002. In 2005 I completed rebuilding the original block at .030 over, with hydraulic lifters, Crane 260H cam, V8 305 intake valves [1.84], hi volume oil pump, moly rings. I refurbished the Offy intake and Clifford long tube headers that had been on the last block. The 390 CFM Holley was rebuilt but wouldn't set up right after 20-something years, so I got an Edelbrock 1404, 500 CFM AFB clone 4-Bbl carb. Going itno the old crates I had put the original 292 into when I re built in 1977, I found the OEM L6 distributor. I put that on and my points still run great. I do have a Pertronix conversion Accel Blueprint distributor, but it's still waiting in the wings.
By comparison, I have a 350 Mr Goodwrench V8 in my '71 GMC Jimmy. I wish it was a 292. A stock 350 has no guts compared to a built 292.

[slomotion]

Thank you for the comments! 68Orange has a sharp outfit too. Maybe he'll post a couple pics?

[Fesser]

Are 292's known for any weeknesses?

[Fesser]

meant weaknesses not weeknesses....

[marks1972]

slomotion that is one sweet looking 6.

[storm9c1]

Originally Posted by Fesser

Are 292's known for any weeknesses?

Did you ever see the bottom end of a 292 L6? It's indestructible, though older motors do tend to have bearing trouble due to either bad journals, crank pitting, or abnormal crank wear, but even then, they will run forever with a knock.

The top end could use some improvement if original. The cam is gear driven! So no timing chain to mess with. Cams were weak, so if you rebuild, get a good cam. Heads could be made to flow better.

Otherwise it's about as simple and brute force as you can get in a motor.

Performance parts will be a little harder to find/get. You may need to be patient and creative.

[David67]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Just remember that an I6 is going to be a little more expensive to get the power/HP out of than a V8. Depends on how deep your wallet it on either install.

IMO, run the 292. Most people just pull them and drop in a V8, break the mold.

Exactly! My thoughts were that I could build up a 292 pretty nicely (that I already have) for even a whole lot less than it would cost to buy a v8, even though it'd be a little more expensive to get performance, which is why it brought me to starting this thread! I'm thinking about just doing a simple rebuild first then once i get a feel for it and see how it is I could go a little further into it depending on what I prefer.

Originally Posted by storm9c1

Did you ever see the bottom end of a 292 L6? It's indestructible, though older motors do tend to have bearing trouble due to either bad journals, crank pitting, or abnormal crank wear, but even then, they will run forever with a knock.

The top end could use some improvement if original. The cam is gear driven! So no timing chain to mess with. Cams were weak, so if you rebuild, get a good cam. Heads could be made to flow better.

Otherwise it's about as simple and brute force as you can get in a motor.

Performance parts will be a little harder to find/get. You may need to be patient and creative.

Yeah thats what I've been hearing and that companies that make parts for them are few and far between.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by slomotion

Thank you for the comments! 68Orange has a sharp outfit too. Maybe he'll post a couple pics?

Thank You for the vote of confidence. I'm an old dog and I've tried to post pics, but I'm on dial-up and it takes all night, and then fails. Also my PM box is frozen full-up. So maybe if you pull my email address off the profile, I could send jpegs direct?