All Detriots have a narrow power band- - - -usually 1750 to 2150 RPM, so you need a gear for every 400 RPM. The oldtimers who drove Detroit inlines, 4-71's and 6-71's especially, used to talk about "rowing it with the shift levers". If you like getting your exercise by grinding gears, go for it!
Those engines are incredibly heavy for the power they produce, and your truck is too small to make a good platform for using any of them. The only thing better than a 292 as a swap would be a Ford 300 inline six.
Jerry
