292

[agawam]

I just got a 75 292 6 with hei , the guy said it runs, got in a paint and body job I'm doing, I have a 67 C20 with a 350/th400, thinking of swapping in the 292, will the mileage be better or worse. truck has a 1ton axle (457s)

[TwoFiftyShifter]

4.57 gears and you want to know about the gas mileage?

It will be worse. But like how getting kicked in the groin is worse than getting kneed in the groin.

[agawam]

yeah I know, but thats what gears are in it, I haven't really started on the truck yet, I bought it a little over a year ago, but built a new shop and trying to get it up and running so there hasn't been much time to do the truck yet but this winter it gets done, probably will change the rear when I can, I also have a 283 I could use

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I would keep the v-8 in it. It will run better & the mileage will be as good or better.

[LongBox]

I think it is common knowledge that folks do not buy these trucks for good fuel mileage. My 350 automatic with 3.73 gears (I think), gets about 12 mpg at the best of times, and I am not driving it hard.

The 292 is said to be a good engine, good for torque, simple to work on, and there are hot rodding parts out there for it, I think Clifford was one of the better-known suppliers.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I run a ''built'' 292 in my '68 C/10 Stepside half-ton shortbed truck. I have .030-over pistons, a Crane 260H cam, larger [1.84"] intake valves, Clifford headers, Offy intake, Edelbrock 500 CFM 4-Bbl carb, and a lead foot. I get about 10 MPG, same as the crate 350 in my '71 GMC. The 292 is about 100 lbs lighter than the SBC, and my hotrodded L6 has a lot more snap than the 350 Mr Goodwrench in the Jimmy.
292s were used a lot in heavier vehicles: UPS vans, dump trucks, schoolbuses, but they were never known for making them go fast. A BBC has comparable torque.
Depends on the kind of driving you do and if you want a work truck or a car with a bed that can handle a couple of kegs occasionally.

[LongBox]

More on the 292: a family member has just finished building up his first ever car, a 1938 Chevrolet 2 DR coach. He chose to put in a rodded 292, and he gets a lot of attention at shows.

The car has a "split" exhaust, and it barks beautifully under load. It also hauls the relatively light 38 up to speed in a hurry. I have no more details now, as he's over on Vancouver Island, and I haven't seen it since he put it together.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I think at some point with these old motors and high # gears, the best you can do with a good tune up and such is 10mpg. So I'd assume 10 is a probable mpg number and also a realistic goal for having 4.xx gears on today's roadways.

Maybe 10.5 for the V8 and 9.5 for the 292?

[davepl]

Of it had a 292 I'd keep it, I think they're cool, but wouldn't swap it in place of a well-running 350 I don't think. Just my free opinion!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by TwoFiftyShifter

Maybe 10.5 for the V8 and 9.5 for the 292?

No, more like the other way around for me.
Of course my L6 truck is a C/10 [2WD] and my V8 truck is a K/5 [4x4].

[slomotion]

My ride has the 292 and I really like the torque, smooth running and "gotcha" factor. It's been slightly modified, but all external bolt-on parts from Langdon. I took out the rock crushing 4 spd and installed a WC T-5 which made it a good all-round driver. The only thing I would do different if I could have afforded it would be to keep the original 4 spd and put a Gear Vendors OD unit in the drive-line. Bullet proof from front to back!
As for mileage, I couldn't tell you. I've never checked it. I use a beater van on a daily basis and only take the truck out for a spin once or twice a week.
(You know the 292 isn't just a drop in.......you'll have to modify the left frame mount to accommodate the inline, but I can't imagine that would be a big deal if you can round up the mount from the bone yard.)

['68OrangeSunshine]

Should have no problem mounting a 292 in a C/20 frame [or C/10] but K/10 frames require a special diagonal crossmember that's a 292-only part. Very hard to get.
I might guess that K/20s require it too, but I don't know first hand.

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Should have no problem mounting a 292 in a C/20 frame [or C/10] but K/10 frames require a special diagonal crossmember that's a 292-only part. Very hard to get.
I might guess that K/20s require it too, but I don't know first hand.

You're right, shouldn't be any problem, but I didn't want the OP to have the 292 on the chain lowering it in only to discover the left mount was staggered to the rear a little.

[Grumpy old man]

Well... it's actually the right side engine perch that is specific to the 292 engine install the left side is the same as a 250 , the 292 engine mount is farther forward on the right side located behind the oil filter with the fuel pump further back were as the 250 mount is located further back from the fuel pump .

292 - fuel pump -engine mount -oil filter -front of truck
250 -engine mount -fuel pump -oil filter - front of truck

The 292 requires it's own specific right side perch . And I'm looking for the right side 292 perch if anyone has one .

[slomotion]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Well... it's actually the right side engine perch that is specific to the 292 engine install the left side is the same as a 250 , the 292 engine mount is farther forward on the right side located behind the oil filter with the fuel pump further back were as the 250 mount is located further back from the fuel pump .

292 - fuel pump -engine mount -oil filter -front of truck
250 -engine mount -fuel pump -oil filter - front of truck

The 292 requires it's own specific right side perch . And I'm looking for the right side 292 perch if anyone has one .

My bad. I've driven this 292 for so long I've forgotten what's what.
Sorry about the mis-information!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by slomotion

You're right, shouldn't be any problem, but I didn't want the OP to have the 292 on the chain lowering it in only to discover the left mount was staggered to the rear a little.

That would be the Mount on Your Left as you're in front of the radiator looking back at the Truck, or the Truck's Right.
That's why I always refer to a Driver's Side and a Passenger's Side. Works well enough in North America, but could be confusing in the UK and former British Commonwealth Territories.