I'm sure you've already seen this, but if not, please take a look at the torque and horsepower curve for a 1968 292...the year picked at random (page 85):
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...hevrolet-Trucks/1968-Chevrolet-Truck.pdfMy goodness, gross torque (around 270) tops out at what...16~1700 rpm and runs pretty much on a plateau from around 1300 until 2400 rpm? Not bad in stock condition.
I haven't seen that. Impressive. Mine being a 1966 may be close to that. Now to go look it up.
If I hadn't been told about the 6-8 mpgs, 10 if I was lucky, I wouldn't be where I am. It may be driving habits that got them the 6-8, or maybe the 292 is just a gas hog, that I do not know from actual experience. I have they are not the most economical, of course this was after I set off into uncharted waters. Uncharted for myself, that is. I just have a hard time accepting it is that bad. And if it is that bad, then all of this was for not, and a v8 will have to go back in eventually. I was wanting an engine that came as a factory option, was told about the 292, bought the 292, and now have been walking around in the Alice in Wonderland's rabbit hole.
It's all good, I have options. Stock 292, altered 292, 350, just wanting to go away from the v8, been driving trucks with them my entire driving career...lol...