Keep the 292 or swap to a 400?

[Truckdriverjames]

I picked up a 67 C20 2WD with the 292 I6 hooked to a SM420 (I think) and a noslip FF 14 bolt with stupid low 4.57s ive got a newer FF 14 with 4.10s a SM465 and a running 400 SB with the frame perches and motor mounts left over from a previous Willys project. The 292 runs but its got a rod knock starting but i think its early enough that it hasnt ruined the crank. Im new to the whole Chevy thing just seeing what yall think?

Thanks!

[68bowtie]

great looking truck. i say rebuild the 292, it's unique and original to the truck. getting harder to find them original, and yours is still mostly that way. oh and it needs some factory wheels and caps too!

[leftybass209]

If you have the room and some day want to return the truck 100% original, hang onto the 6 and store it.

I'd switch to the 400 or another sbc displacement, especially since the 6 needs a rebuild.

[kwmech]

I've never owned a 6 cyl truck, but if the opportunity arose with a 292 I would sure as hell hang on to it and keep it that way. I had a customer years ago that had one with a 250 and it ran really sweet.... power was a little anemic though

[Shaky]

It depends on what you want to do with it.

I have a '67 C20 with a 292, SM420, and 4.11s. I got the 292 rebuilt to mostly stock specs. I'm just gonna cruise around.

If you want more performance and fun, I'd go SBC. I've modified a 250. It ran well, I enjoyed the exercise, but it was expensive. When modifying these sixes, you hit a wall with the cylinder head design and that's when the money gets interesting.

The 292 in stock form makes it's torque peak just off idle. It has a very long stroke and at higher rpm you are getting some serious piston velocities.

So - it depends on what you want to do with the truck...

['68OrangeSunshine]

What Shaky said is all true. I bought a halfton stepside that had the factory 292/SM465/3.73 set up. I upgraded to Eaton posi. When I thought I needed a new engine, I just built another 292. Twenty five years later it was time to rebuild again and I did some mods to the OEM block I had put up in aircraft crates. I'm happy with it.
I used to run a 454 BBC in a '67 K/10 Suburban. It was always chewing up u-joints.

[jessemthompson]

The answers on this will vary from person to person. When your parked with the hood popped open, you're going to be different. To me, that's where it stops. I like some performance. You're gonna have to spend a ton of money to get that thing to a factory small block level. I'd drop the 400 in it and enjoy the truck.

[Coley]

Short term...switch over the 400 to get the truck on the road and put some fun miles on it.
Meanwhile, with the 292 pulled...give yourself a fun and interesting rebuild project without any 'roadworthy pressure' in your garage.
Then swap them out and see how you like the difference......you can't lose either way but don't get rid of the 292.
my two bits

Coley

[Truckdriverjames]

Originally Posted by Coley

Short term...switch over the 400 to get the truck on the road and put some fun miles on it.
Meanwhile, with the 292 pulled...give yourself a fun and interesting rebuild project without any 'roadworthy pressure' in your garage.
Then swap them out and see how you like the difference......you can't lose either way but don't get rid of the 292.
my two bits

Coley

I really like that idea id be more into keeping it 100% stock if it was running tip top or was something specail. Like a short box or some limited package. Thanks for all the insight!!

[68is4me]

It depends on what you plans are. I always though it would really neat to run a hoped up 292. Everybody has SBC and BBC. How many stout 292's do you see? Rebuild and performance parts for a 292 I am sure are expensive. But a 292 tire fryer would be a riot.

[leftybass209]

Being different gets you as far as you want to be... in your own mind. You are the only person you have to impress; so long as the powerplant puts a smile on your face.

Of course originality versus modifications are a big factor in what you decide as well.

Having a 6 isn't going to bring in the awards or the flocks of crowds simply because. Having a 67-72 Chevy truck is what's going to bring in the crowds. While debatable, we own a body style that has been voted on and ranked as the top classic pickup numerous times.

I've never seen someone with an inline 6 bring in the crowds solely based on engine. Actually, most of what I hear around 6's is a roughly 25:1 ratio of 1 being an occasional fond memory of someone who "used to have one", then they smile and move on. Another 25 or so say, "I'd swap the boat anchor with a (LS/Big Block/Turbo'd SBC) and lay it out on bags with (20's+)

I'm not saying I agree with the trendiness or any of that, but that's the reality of the show car hobby.

I respect an old 6 and what it can do, but there's a hierarchy of engine improvements and advancements. 6 < SBC/BBC < LS. Live with what it can do, or upgrade to what it can't do. That smile on your face is all that matters.

[Truckdriverjames]

Originally Posted by 68is4me

It depends on what you plans are. I always though it would really neat to run a hoped up 292. Everybody has SBC and BBC. How many stout 292's do you see? Rebuild and performance parts for a 292 I am sure are expensive. But a 292 tire fryer would be a riot.

Im just enjoying the truck as a hobby. The 292 stuff is spendy where you can find it its just tough to justify spending a ton of cash when on literaly tripping over the perfectly good 400. i will pull the 292 out swap in the small block and go through it and build a monster. I think im gunna swap out the axle too id like to go faster than 45

[Truckdriverjames]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

Being different gets you as far as you want to be... in your own mind. You are the only person you have to impress; so long as the powerplant puts a smile on your face.

Of course originality versus modifications are a big factor in what you decide as well.

Having a 6 isn't going to bring in the awards or the flocks of crowds simply because. Having a 67-72 Chevy truck is what's going to bring in the crowds. While debatable, we own a body style that has been voted on and ranked as the top classic pickup numerous times.

I've never seen someone with an inline 6 bring in the crowds solely based on engine. Actually, most of what I hear around 6's is a roughly 25:1 ratio of 1 being an occasional fond memory of someone who "used to have one", then they smile and move on. Another 25 or so say, "I'd swap the boat anchor with a (LS/Big Block/Turbo'd SBC) and lay it out on bags with (20's+)

I'm not saying I agree with the trendiness or any of that, but that's the reality of the show car hobby.

I respect an old 6 and what it can do, but there's a hierarchy of engine improvements and advancements. 6 < SBC/BBC < LS. Live with what it can do, or upgrade to what it can't do. That smile on your face is all that matters.

I 100% agree

[jocko]

I think this is one of those things where nobody's opinion really matters, only your own - you're either a V8 or an I6 sorta guy. If you have zero preference, then I'd keep it original.

[Truckdriverjames]

Originally Posted by jocko

I think this is one of those things where nobody's opinion really matters, only your own - you're either a V8 or an I6 sorta guy. If you have zero preference, then I'd keep it original.

I wouldnt say that, hearing people out can really evolve your project. Its also a good way to make connections with people that can really help you out. The best part of a project to me is all the connections you make with that community.

[Truckdriverjames]

So just outta curiosity what exactly do I need to do this swap I know the 292 mounts are specific to it. I have the perches and the mounts from the 79 suburban the 400 is out of. The burban was a 4x4. Im really pulling my hair out trying to find clean and clear info on this.

Thanks again!

[kwmech]

If you are going with a V8 I would get some small block frame stands and keep the 292s with the engine as a 'very complete' swap. Small block frame stands are very easy to come as I may have some laying around here somewhere, whereas the 292 frame stands are not. The 79 mounts are a clam shell style and do not easily transfer to the earlier frames

[Truckdriverjames]

Will this change where the tranny sits?
And for sure if i sold the 292 id sell the mounts with
Yeah if you had a set layin around id be more than happy to buy em off you.
Thanks for the info!