Should I keep the straight six or go V8

[shawno72]

Ok my 292 straight six is knocking, been knocking for a while. From what I can tell, and from the opinions I got, it sounds like a wrist pin. Now since it is a 292 everyone is asking me if I want to sell it. At this point it is still running and actually runs really smooth, just noisy. I kinda like the idea of keeping the six because it seems like everyone has a V8. I found a good running 250 for $200 on CL and I thought about buying it to stick in so that I can still drive the truck, its my DD, while I have either the 292 rebuilt for around $1500 or I can buy a crate V8 for about that. Another factor is that I am really liking the gas milage of the 6. Give me some pros and cons of not going to a V8 please.

[68gmsee]

I'm not very familiar with the process of going from 292 to 350 but I believe the front mounts will have to be changed. Personally I'd keep the 292 and rebuild it yourself and try to find a cheap used 4 banger car to drive temporarily.
The money you save on gas will help pay for a rebuild of the 292.

btw: 292's are great for towing and are considered work horses but not great on gas.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

I'm not very familiar with the process of going from 292 to 350 but I believe the front mounts will have to be changed. Personally I'd keep the 292 and rebuild it yourself and try to find a cheap used 4 banger car to drive temporarily.
The money you save on gas will help pay for a rebuild of the 292.

btw: 292's are great for towing and are considered work horses but not great on gas.

I know whats involved with the swap and I already have v8 mounts. Is the 250 better on gas than the 292? And I guess what I am looking for does anyone else think that the sixes are cooler than a v8? I just see our trucks with v8s all the time and thought it would be cool to keep it a six.

[1low]

v8s are cooler my 2cents

[leddzepp]

I6's are awesome. I built them up in my Jeeps. Clifford Performance makes some great upgrades.

[dmwphoto]

V8 in my opinion. easier to deal with, decent economy.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

V8 in my opinion. easier to deal with, decent economy.

My 72 had a 350 with a mild cam and the best I could get from it was11 mpg. My 292 seems to be getting around 15. I heard a 250 can get around 20. But I do want some power so maybe I will go v8. I just don't know thats why I want some more input. How about some pics of some straight sixes.

[dmwphoto]

fuel economy is heavily dependant on rear end ratio and transmission. The efficiency of the engine compliments that.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

fuel economy is heavily dependant on rear end ratio and transmission. The efficiency of the engine compliments that.

Well I got 3.73 out back with a four on the floor. I will be upgrading to an automatic come tax time. Thats for sure.

[slomotion]

There's another thread in here about the 6 vs 8 debate, and a huge thread with pics of a host of beautiful sixes. I don't know how to link them, but someone will.
Personally, I like my 292/T5 combo. Works good, would be easy to work on if I ever have too..............

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by slomotion

There's another thread in here about the 6 vs 8 debate, and a huge thread with pics of a host of beautiful sixes. I don't know how to link them, but someone will.
Personally, I like my 292/T5 combo. Works good, would be easy to work on if I ever have too..............

What exactly is a T5 tranny. I hear a lot about it.

[Vintage Windmills]

if you want uniqueness, torque and don't mind extra work or time go GMC big block V6

[domeier]

I vote keep the 292. I love me a long engine.

[68 C-10 Panel]

I was driving the 250 I-6 in my panel for a few years...I was getting around 18 mpg in the city. The trans is a 3 on the tree. So the mileage is great, but with the rearend gear needed for the 250 to get up and go it left me at around 65mph before it sounded like it was going to jump out from under the hood. I have a few 350s and I plan on rebuilding the 250 and putting it in front of a 700r4. I like the old stuff and don't really want to go fast. If you want to burn rubber or pass a tuner car on the freeway go for the 350 and don't look back. Just to throw something else out there I have recently had the idea of converting the panel to an electric drive train. Manual brakes and steering make it a great candidate. Very off the wall but that's just me.

[shawno72]

You know I have had fast cars and now I am to the point in my life where the six fits more my style. Its unique and power wise just fine for me. Having said that I like to drink coffee and drive so I want an automatic. Will a turbo350 and a 250 go good together?

[68 C-10 Panel]

th350 is still 1:1 ratio. I think overdrive is needed to compensate for the ring gear needed to allow the 250 to have a decent take off from a stop. 700r4 is not that hard to swap in.

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by shawno72

What exactly is a T5 tranny. I hear a lot about it.

There's several variations, but it's basically a five speed "top loader" tranny with 5th being overdrive. Camaro's, 'Stang's, Sonoma's are just a few of the marques that use it. Very generally speaking, a Camaro or 'Stang box with a Sonoma tail shaft is the desired setup. The Sonoma tailshaft puts the shift lever in the correct position for our trucks.
(BTW, with the T5 in my truck, I'm turning 2400 RPM at 65 MPH.)

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by shawno72

Having said that I like to drink coffee and drive

Cup holders work pretty good when your shifting

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by slomotion

There's several variations, but it's basically a five speed "top loader" tranny with 5th being overdrive. Camaro's, 'Stang's, Sonoma's are just a few of the marques that use it. Very generally speaking, a Camaro or 'Stang box with a Sonoma tail shaft is the desired setup. The Sonoma tailshaft puts the shift lever in the correct position for our trucks.
(BTW, with the T5 in my truck, I'm turning 2400 RPM at 65 MPH.)

This would be the way to go but I have driven sticks for years and I really like my automatic. Will look more into this. Like the idea of cruising down the road at a good clip with the low rpms.

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by slomotion

Cup holders work pretty good when your shifting

Thats what my seven year old daughter said. So I handed her my coffee

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

if you want uniqueness, torque and don't mind extra work or time go GMC big block V6

Now that does look cool. How about a 4.3 with a carb??

[Hubscrub]

I regret takeing out my 250/3 speed for a 350/ 700r4 i was wanting power but now i want my inline back. I would love that 292. here is some links for pics etc.


Ten pages of six pixs http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=258488

Few more pixshttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=471078

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

if you want uniqueness, torque and don't mind extra work or time go GMC big block V6

There is something about the 478M that turns my crank. I NEED one.

[dukcaln]

crate v8 with a duece..............

[markallen]

i am in almost exactly the same predicament except i have a 250...i have a 3.07 rearend and a t-5 transmission and i get around 15 mpg...however i know a guy in my car club who has a 350 with a 700r4 and is getting around 32 mpg. i kinda want to keep my 6 because a hopped up one is really cool and you can get close to 300 hp out of a 250 and ive heard you can get way more from a 292. on the downside performance parts for a i6 cost waaaaaayyyyyy more than for a 350. and by the time you rebuild a 6 you could have bought a crate 350 and i have heard that when you put a cam in a 6 they wont hold up to it.