292 Thermostat Housing Help

[dagnabbitt]

So I am the proud owner of a 68 c20... build thread here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795837

And I am also therefore the proud owner of a 292 which I know nothing about.

This one has a lot of - I suspect - 250 and other eras of inline 6 parts on it - and one of the issues I am facing is the fact that it seems to have the wrong thermostat housing on it: specifically the lower part which bolts to the head. I discovered this when I ordered a new water pump and upper rad hose and it went together like Ray Charles assembled it with his feet.

Can someone please send me pics or part numbers of an original thermostat 2 piece housing with the bypass? Specifically the lower part which bolts to the head. I have the below pic I found on another site which somewhat resembles what I think it would look like.

I am pretty close to getting this junk on the road, please give me anything you can in terms of info.

[Grumpy old man]

From left to right

late 292 -- 67 292 -- 67 250 .

[Grumpy old man]

292 housing

[dagnabbitt]

Would you please send me a closer pic of the middle engine, the 67 250? Mine needs that fitting on the left side of the lower housing. I appreciate your help.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The early 292 engines used a 1 in. bypass hose like Grumpys photo. The later 292's, about 1970 up used the 5/8 bypass hose like in the photo in Dags post.
George

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

Would you please send me a closer pic of the middle engine, the 67 250? Mine needs that fitting on the left side of the lower housing. I appreciate your help.

What exactly would you call that housing under the thermostat housing... the one that bolts to the head? Trying to search for this part and coming up with nothing.

[old51sedan]

Did you order the same water pump as you removed? The 292 used the style you have pictured from 63-67. In 67-73 they changed the water pump and the thermostat housing and it takes a bigger bypass hose. This is a picture of my 69.

[dagnabbitt]

I ordered the correct hoses and a water pump for a 68 292, that is when I discovered that the parts on the engine were incorrect.

I now know from responses to this thread that what was on the engine was the late 70's setup with 5/8 hoses, and not the 1 inch setup that you have pictured. The last guy to change the water pump went with what was available I guess.

I am putting it back to correct parts. I have the correct upper thermostat housing, 1" bypass hose, and water pump, and I am now looking for that lower thermostat housing that bolts to the head, where the bypass hose goes to that you have pictured. Unable to find a part number for it, and "lower thermostat housing" does not seem to the be the correct name for it.

Looking for exactly the part you have pictured, with both the 1"bypass on the right side of the pic, and a heater hose (?) coming off the left side.

[RichardJ]

Summit probably offers the best description you will find. The problem really comes with the description of the water neck.

If you are planning AC you may want a water neck with boss for a thermo-sensor for electric fan.

[Llay R. Rac]

a while back there was a seller(12bolt_tom) on ebay that had both iron and alum. new upper and lower thermostat housings. i think he had the style you want, i almost bought one for my 292.

[Grumpy old man]

Check this ebay ad.


Better hurry there are a lot of guys looking for the same parts .

https://www.ebay.com/i/193151428763?...BoCA1cQAvD_BwE


https://www.ebay.com/i/192955469159?...xoCMzQQAvD_BwE

[dagnabbitt]

Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it! I never would have thought that this part would be so difficult to find, I just assumed I could order it off the shelf.

Also, turns out that Tom has a website, https://www.12bolt.com/ I will reach out.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

Bigger is better if your gonna work / towe with it

[dagnabbitt]

Thanks for all the advice and info!

I found the below item on ebay. Now that I know that these are rare and apparently valuable I will be on the lookout for them at every junkyard I go to.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

Thanks for all the advice and info!

I found the below item on ebay. Now that I know that these are rare and apparently valuable I will be on the lookout for them at every junkyard I go to.

Also look for R (passenger side engine perch 292 only mount) 3 groove balancer , A/c and power steering brackets . oil bath air cleaners , Just about anything for the 292 is in demand .

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Also look for R (passenger side engine perch 292 only mount) 3 groove balancer , A/c and power steering brackets . oil bath air cleaners , Just about anything for the 292 is in demand .

I several oil bath air cleaners, people actually want these things?

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

I several oil bath air cleaners, people actually want these things?

List them on the parts board , They usually don't last long , I've sold a few for $150-200.00 each complete. price a running 292 and see what they sell for , even the 250 that everyone seams to scrap I've sold two in the last few months locally for $350.00 each . Try to find an original L6 oil pan , exhaust manifold that's not cracked , and the golden goose Right side engine perch ...

['68OrangeSunshine]

Grumpy, don't forget the 292-only [K-Type] 4WD diagonal crossmember.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Grumpy, don't forget the 292-only [K-Type] 4WD diagonal crossmember.

That's probably the real golden goose to find .

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

That's probably the real golden goose to find .

Think I have pix somewhere...

[dagnabbitt]

HI, just for the sake of closure and to thank everyone who gave me advice on this subject, here are some pics! The part I bought off ebay cleaned up well and fit nicely, and now the truck purrs like a kitten, bypass hose and all.

In the summer I hope to get in there and detail everything and paint it to look as nice as grumpy's.

[Dongray]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

From left to right

late 292 -- 67 292 -- 67 250 .

Grumpy thanks for sharing the information along with everyone else. I was wondering if you happened to have a source and part number for the bypass and lower radiator hoses? I seen to keep ordering parts that don’t quite fit.
Thanks again
Dongray
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dongray]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

Did you order the same water pump as you removed? The 292 used the style you have pictured from 63-67. In 67-73 they changed the water pump and the thermostat housing and it takes a bigger bypass hose. This is a picture of my 69.

Old sedan, I was wondering if you could share a passenger side picture of the engine. I’m curious as to the fitment of the ac and distributor. I assume you do not use one of the large HEI distributors. Looking to buy a distributor know but need to factor in the ac for a future purchase.
Thanks,
Dongray
Posted via Mobile Device

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by Dongray

Old sedan, I was wondering if you could share a passenger side picture of the engine. I’m curious as to the fitment of the ac and distributor. I assume you do not use one of the large HEI distributors. Looking to buy a distributor know but need to factor in the ac for a future purchase.
Thanks,
Dongray
Posted via Mobile Device

I will get out there in a few days and get it uncovered and get you a picture of it. Here are a few pictures of a Distributor that has the coil that mounts of to the side instead of on top which gives you more room between the coil and compressor.

[RichardJ]

That dist is 1975 only, so if you find one, take everything. The side cover bolts for the coil are special. The Dist housing is indexed differently for the ex/coil cap than the coil-in cap housing. The module-to-coil wiring harness is different than the coil-in-cap inline HEI.

I see old51sedan has an HEI with a shaft with the flex joint. That shaft was discussed on this forum years ago and there were different opinions about where it came from. I have a 6cyl HEI with that shaft, but don't want to use it. The one in my engine has the solid one-piece shaft.

The cover over the coil plug is the only one I have ever seen and part is missing and the rest is as much epoxy as plastic.