The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 250 vs 350 or 292

I am asking for some free advice from the members.....
I want to replace the 235 in my '58 pickup. I'm torn between a 292 or 350 small block. Jinda want to stay with a 6 to be different. A friend has a complete 25 that he will give me. He thinks that a strong rebuild on it and a 3 angle valve job on my 848 head will be about as good and much less costley then buying a 292 and rebuilding it. I have a ZZ4 crate motor in the street rod so I know what it can do....and cost.
Thanks in advance

if you want to be different... stay with a 6 banger.

If you are going to drive it much go with the V-8. It was an option in there & looks right at home. They even handle better with a V-8. It weighs less & the weight is further back so it steers easier & drives better. Early V-8,s had stovebolts too.

As much as I personally like the straight 6, the SBC 350 V8 is a good engine. The 350 parts will be cheaper and easier to find. The engine will be easier to tune (as more people have knowledge on how to tune it).

That being said, straight engines (with multiples of 3 cylinders... i.e. 3, 6, 9, 12, etc..) are inherently balanced engines. V8's are NOT. There is a reason you see them on BIG STRONG tractors, trucks, etc... and not the bent engine counterpart.

I'm currently looking for a 292 to tweak a little and put in my 58. Should not be too difficult to get 300 ft/lb, reliable torque at 3500 rpm. Racers want to talk about HP, but when you want to get work done talk about torque.

Know what kind of engine BMW just spent years of time developing to put in there new HOT sedan... a straight 6. Wonder why? Because they are good engineers, not good ole boy racers.

If the six isn't a problem for you why not fix it? If I were going to swap, I would go straight to the small block myself, because of the ease and expense.

The 292 would be a cool engine if you score one. I found websites that sell rebuilt 292's for $1200 bucks. Of course, that's a stock rebuild.

350's run so incredibly well and offer the best bang for the buck. But you lose that original look.

In a car show about a year ago, I entered my truck along with several really pristine AD trucks. But mine was the only one with the stovebolt engine. Mine was far from perfect, but it won the people's choice award, despite how beautiful the V8 AD trucks were.

From that, I draw the conclusion that most people prefer the old-fashioned look of the Stovebolt engine.

The 292 would give you that. But I agree with the above, if you plan on driving it a lot or using it for work, the 350 might be the more practical approach.

Bottom line, it's your truck, and your choice.
I'd advise going to a good car show that might have a few different AD trucks on display.

Here's the link for the 292 crate engines:

http://www.usdieselparts.com/category.cfm?Category=1400&CFID=818845&CFTOKEN=780

And here's another one:

http://www.gmplace.com/engine/gmcgmplacegmc_292lb_6.html

Looks like the prices vary. But for about a grand, that's a nice deal.

Hey guys I also have got intrest in the 292. Just bought two salvage engines complete. Don't know much about them but in conversations with Tom Langdon of Langdons stovebolt its not wise to buy a engine if you don't have the brackets to go on it.

I started to buy long block re-man and I could not find any hardware to complete.....Just a thought.

Do the 350. The 6 is OK, but not as a daily driver. Personally i cant see driving a 216 because i would blow it up from pushing it too hard-and then what good is it to anyone? If i can i am going to drive the stovebolt every day and never buy a new truck or car again-therefore it needs to be able to be taken on open freeways and open roads. My truck(s) are not original anyhoo and never will be so a v-6 or a small 8 is appropriate.
That vortech v-6 in the chevy trailblazer LTZ is impressive to say the least. has the power of a 350 and drives like it never gets wore down. We are approaching 100,000 miles on it and it hasnt slowed yet-hauls a load too. Would be cool to score one of those and put em in a stovebolt...

The 250's can rev higher than the 292's.
the 292's have more torque.

i put a 292 in my 3104
got it at the junk yard for $600 and it was completely rebuilt w/ 600 miles... out of a wrecked 67 truck

we love it
500 edelbrock, clifford, langton headers, dual to single exhaust, hei, T5, 12 bolt,

the 292 is a great update. make sure when you buy the motor if you don't have access to casting number id look at the mounting area on block. 194,230,250 blocks have their mounts in parallel like 350's. 292's are offset,the passenger side is further forward. this will keep you from buying the wrong motor.fastest way i know of for 292 id. don't let peer pressure sway you!

I had a 250 in my last '49. Drove it every day, everywhere. Of course, I had an automatic and high gear rearend. I could cruise the freeways and keep up with the V-8 guys (as long as they didn't punch it!). Did it that way 'cause I liked the original look, but wanted something easier to get parts for. Also I was given 2 250's. For $150 worth of machine work, I had a running engine.

Unless I misunderstood IMS's original post, you can't put your 848 head on a 250 C.I. engine, but it goes great with a 261.

Gee, seems like the V-8 guys have all the pro's. NOT!!! Go here: http://www.customdesignperformance.com/leo/leo.html I have a 55 GMC dump truck with the never-ending 302. Even after trying to install a tree where the radiator should be, it still runs flawlessly. (NEVER trust your park brake, ALWAYS chock your wheels!!)

The 292's have two 6'' high side valve covers

made the decision. it now has a 1996 LT1 with 4L60 trans and all is in and running.....perfectly

Good choice.

283 or 327... classic look and good HP