1966 K10 Suburban - 292 with Aussie Speed intake

[Southcity]

Modifications/improvements to the stock 292 have purposely been done in phases over time. Nothing ground breaking here but perhaps others considering same with a 292 will find this helpful:

Changes to date starting with most recent:
1.Aussie Speed intake - I got this off a friend for almost nothing, no carb adapter required as it comes pre-drilled to mount carb in either position (i.e. sideways). It's installed with a stock-style exhaust manifold using a Remflex gasket. I used some stock shorty intake clamp bits to mount both the intake and exhaust. I pinned the heat-riser valve wide open (to exhaust) by drilling/tapping a small hole in the external riser weight, inserting a stainless fine thread machine bolt that rests on the pin for the riser spring. Used the riser gasket as a template to cut a riser metal block off plate, installed it with riser gasket and stainless bolts. No heat (exhaust or coolant) going to intake and even in these cold winter months, it runs and performs very well. A bit of rough idle for less than a minute on cold startup.
2.Electric Fan - Got rid of the mechanical fan strictly to help free up a little horsepower/torque, this was added to a 3 row aluminum radiator. Performs very well.
3.HEI ignition - with full 12 volts, this was a marked improvement over the points setup
4.500 CFM 2 Barrel Holley carb - smooth performance
5.Thompson throttle plate (https://thompsonperformance.com/). Say and believe what you will, it's affordable, easy to install and I notice an improved throttle response and very smooth driving engine.

All the above is non-scientific meaning I did not perform and log data with test & tunes with each modification. I did pay attention to details though (proper spark plug gap adjustment, timing, carb tuning, wiring for full 12V etc). I have a very smooth and well performing 292 with room to grow if/when I choose (i.e. head work, headers, 4 barrel carb etc). This 292 was bone stock when I got the truck and the above modifications have really made it a joy to drive and easy to live with in daily driving.