The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop The $450 question

Like I said before,my 68 C-20 has a gutless 230 in place of the original gutless 250 engine.I was gonna swap in a 350, but a 292 will drop right in with only changing one motor mount.No new exhaust, clutch linkage problems etc. All things being equal, I rather run the 6. I found a good complete 292 from a guy near Detroit, a 800 mile round trip.He is even willing to meet me part way to cut down on the drive.My past experience with 292's was in one of the C50's I used for plowing. The other truck was way stronger with its 366 V-8.And when I played school bus mechanic, the fleet had several special order 292 equipped 3/4 ton Suburbans. The other few Burbs had 350's which of course were more powerful. So my question is,is it worthwhile to hunt down this $450 292 instead of a $450 350?I looked at quite a few 292's locally.The engines were total junk for 200 to 400 bucks.Remanafactured 292 long blocks are around $1600 . The 68 C20 will haul a heavy load from time to time but doesn't need to be a speed demon.I don't mind spending some cash on a good engine, but what are your opinions?

[ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: Tony ]

Tony,
I currently run a 350 in my '73, a 292 in my '66 and I have a 283 out of a '67 on a pallet in my barn that I ran for 10 years. I also have a 300 six and a 360 V8 in my Blue Oval trucks.
I would go with the 292 or any six cylinder anyday. Since I mainly haul things, the torque out of the 292 out classes the lower torque, higher revving V8 engines.

Since you strike me as a "Unique individual", I think you need a standout-in-the-crowd 6 banger rather than an also ran V8. Those 350 motors are a dime a dozen and every 17 year old hot rodder has one. Us older farts need those smooth 6 bangers to pull our travel,horse and transport trailers will the young motorheads wiz past us.
The 292 allows me to do what my wife calls "pimping on down the road".

Therefore, Mr Chairman, the great state of Indiana casts 1 vote for the 292 six.

BigMac

BigMac,

Put an offy intake, holley 390 and some cast headers on that 292 and you might find that it'll haul much more than just "horses".

-ftyler

ftyler,

It aint "cool" without a Rochester B sitting up top on a stock manifold.

I agree with you that it will haul the mail better and faster, but all I want to do is haul the mail.

Tony, dont listen to his blastphemy.

BigMac

How fast do y'all need to haul the mail? They do make superchargers for the 292.

Tony, for starters, they make a new Goodwrench long block replacement 292 for less than $1600. If you are interested, I'll dig up the link, or you can do a search for Goodwrench engines and find a dealer who posts a price list.

I've never had a 292, but I did have a stock 350 in a '72 half-ton, and I would be hard pressed to believe a 292 could outpull that motor at any rpm. That engine had incredible low end to midrange torque, and unlike some others experiences, got as much as 17 mpg on the road (3.08 rear end). I used to haul my drag car with it (Chevelle) on a trailer and had no problems keeping up speed on hills, even with the rear end gear and three-speed manual transmission.

Before everyone tells me how great 292s can pull, yes I believe that... I just don't think it can outpull a good stock 350. Maybe it can but my money's on the V-8 until someone proves me wrong.

I've personally been suprised by the pulling power of a 300 Blue Oval six, but it still ain't a 350. Maybe better than a 283 but not the 350. (soapbox mode off)

If you just have a thing for sixes, by all means go for the 292 (i'm pretty fond of them myself), but personally, I'd team up with Mr. Goodwrench before buying a $450 engine that might not even be core material.

And, just like our main man Phat says, the Goodwrench 350 is a true bargain any way you slice it.

BTW, I still haven't made to the storage unit to look for the '72 steering box - haven't forgotten it.

---> Bill

Go with the 292, you can't go wrong when you're "keepin' it inline." And I have to bring up the fact that I just turned 18 a few months ago and am neither putting a v-8 or automatic in my '51, it's gonna get an almost stock 235 and keep its SM420.

Locobreath, I will agree with about a 350 out pulling a 292 at any speed.I found no information for new 292 long blocks, if you can find it, please email me the link.The guy selling the 292 can be trusted ,so I can take his word on the engine condition . Remember its a complete 292 that was running last week, fan to flywheel, pan to carb.

A seller you can trust, a good engine, an easy swap, and a fair price. What more can you ask for?

I used to ask for a redhead, but I wasn't married then.

Fred,We don't tolerate off topic posts here.If you do it again,I'm grabbing my dark haired , brown eyed women, and heading home.But I will have to stand in line behind all the others who threaten to leave .

Hmm. $1600 for a GoodWrench 292 vs. $1300 for a 350 (at www.salleechevrolet.com). Wonder which one I'd choose?

Well, Tony, after you asked the question, I started searching again, and I thought maybe I was losing my mind - I couldn't find it either for a long time.

Try this link: web page

This might be a discontinued part. I'm very sure I saw one of the price lists that had a part number for the 4.8l/292 before.

Of course, with the additional information that the used 292 is complete, was running and you trust the seller, $450 doesn't sound like a bad deal at all. I'd say go for it.

---> Bill

Tony: Follow your heart, and your first choice, the 292. You said, that with all things being equal, well, you know this old truck stuff is subjective, and nothing is ever equal, or the same. We all have are preferences, ie: Art Deco, AD, 6 or 8, etc. It sounds like you have a good bargain in the works. You know the guy, and trust him. Nuff said!!! Sure can't get enough of that stuff these days, trust. Just slide that 292 in there, add some goodies and you are on your way. Hey, I think the stock flywheel weighs 30 lbs., the same as the BB. Check with Schiefer, they make a 40 pounder!! That'll easily give you 50 or so more pounds of torque. And it will sure stop them 350 boys from teasin'ya. Good Luck!

Tony: Just checked, and he has them in stock. Go to site www.dalewilch.com He has Schiefer 40 pounders in stock. Check the category "Dale's Stuff For Sale". Done business with Dale several times and I can tell you, it is first rate service. He has tons of parts, buys auto/speed shop, and parts inventory at auctions, etc. Also has lots of parts for sixes from time to time. He can also help with any tech questions, as he knows lots of folks and businesses in automotive and racing circles. Good Luck!!! :rolleyes:

Tony: What gears do you have in your differential? I've got a '67 K-20 with 33" tires and 410's. With the 350, I'm at 70mph and three grand on the tach. If your running smaller tires and lower rear gears, that 292 might not take the rpms needed to get to the jobsite. That 350 is still no where close to the red line!!

Tony: What gears do you have in your differential? I've got a '67 K-20 with 33" tires and 410's. With the 350, I'm at 70mph and three grand on the tach. If your running smaller tires and lower rear gears, that 292 might not take the rpms needed to get to the jobsite. That 350 is still no where close to the red line!!

The truck has 4.57 gears with 245-75-16 10 ply radials.The engine spins about 3000 rpm at 60 mph.I have a 4 spd OD trans for it. That will reduce the r's to 2200 at 60.This is a drum brake, no power steering truck , its never gonna be a freeway flier.292's can buzz along at 3000 rpm no problem in larger trucks so it should be fine in my C-20.

Here is the $450 292 now hanging from my engine crane. looks clean inside the valve cover, the spark plugs show no signs of oil burning. I will pull off the pan and take a peek at the bearings before I install it. [img]http://pstr-m01.ygpweb.aol.com/data/00E/19/1E/04/A6/coNqIZRLZswQbhFj2S5BgnvJDxxyhRVO0180.jpg[/img]

Tony, if you haven't already started pulling the old 230, this would be a great chance to do a before/after comparison.

Maybe you could try pulling your camping trailer up a steep hill and see what kind of speed each motor can hold?

---> Bill