The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Chevy 292 Length

In 2002, I "inherited" a 1953 Chevy 3600 216/3-speed truck and I joined this message board. Until today I have posted 3 times.

Fast forward to 2020. I am now 59 years old and as of 10/2/2020, I am semi-retired and will be fully retired on 4/1/2021. The truck has been in storage since I received it. I recently began sizing up my truck for upgrades.

I want to update my truck. I'm looking for a "modern", reliable drive train while keeping a 6 cylinder and manual transmission.
I am considering a Chevy 292, S-10 NV3500 (1990-1993 with external slave cylinder), NP241C transfer case (1988-1989 Blazer/Suburban right-hand drop) and 4.10:1 gears. For now, my 3600 will remain 2WD, but installing the 4WD transmission and transfer case at the time of the swap will make converting to 4WD easier in the future.

Now for the engine-related questions.
I have found a 1977 292, a 1983 292 and a 1984 292 with approximately 100k miles. I've read on this forum (and others) the length of a 292/250 bare engine is shorter than a 216, but the radiator must be moved to the "forward position" for fan clearance when installing a 292 in an Advance Design truck. It is my understanding the additional room is needed because the water pump / fan is longer on the 292. I have learned the 1975-1977 water pump shaft is longer than the 1978-1986 water pump shaft.

• Are the accessory brackets further forward on the 1975-1977 engines? Or is the 1978-1986 water pump shaft and water pump pulley offset different to reduce the overall length of the engine?
• What are the differences between the 1977 and 1983/1984 engine besides the water pump length and the HEI distributors?
• Are there any advantages to using the 1977 or 1983/1984 engine?
• Is the newer or older engine(s) better?

I read through many threads that once had pictures (photobucket debacle), but could not find definitive answers. I apologize for all these questions in my first post in 18 years, but I'm excited to get started on this post retirement project. I'm sure you've heard it before - "I either have time or money, but never both". Retirement will offer me the luxury of both for the first time in my life. Thanks for the help!!

Wow, neat story. Welcome back. Don’t want to make you angry or drive you back into hiding but, please post questions one at a time separately from each other. Why you ask? You will get specific answers by folks that have first hand experience. A lot of the membership don’t have the time or inclination to read long posts with multiple questions. Second, you will separate Engine Forum questions from Driveline Forum (transmission, master cylinder, clutch, crossmember) questions. Third, as you have done, others will be searching and one subject per thread makes for easier searching.
Finally, don’t wait another 18 years to post. We are all curious about your project and the progress being made.

Thanks for the welcome and the tips. I have edited my post by removing non-engine related questions and some background information. I will post the other questions in the driveline section. Is the post still too long?

The short block of the 292 will be the same no matter what year you choose, the head changes to the integral type somewhere in the mix. If you go with an older head with separate intake and exhaust manifolds, pick the engine with the least amount of wear and tear. Grab the HEI, and wire harness for it.

Moving the radiator does two things, gives room for fan and water pump, plus lets you lower the radiator so the fan covers more of the core. The water may set a little lower on the 292 then the original engine, the 250 sure does. If the exhaust manifolds come off the head, measure the outlets and grab the largest one, some if not all 292's use bigger outlets then the 230/250 did.

Most of the 292's were used in medium-duty trucks and industrial applications such as farm equipment- - - -combines and other large pieces of equipment, air compressors, welders, etc. The harmonic balancers were large and long, with multiple belt grooves, which increased the overall length of the engine and required a longer water pump shaft. It seems to me that front end accessories for a 250 such as the balancer and water pump could be substituted to reduce the overall length a little if that's a problem. With a little tinkering, a serpentine belt system might be able to be adapted to a 292 to further reduce the length.
Jerry

Thanks for the replies.

Joe H,
I didn't know about lowering the radiator when moving forward provides better fan coverage. From what I can tell, the distance between the water pump and the crankshaft is the same for the 250 and 292. The distance between the water pump and the block deck is greater on the 292. Hence, the position of the fan relative to the crankshaft should be the same for the 250 and 292.

It is my understanding the 292 did not use an integrated head/manifold like the 250. I have photos of the 1977 and 1983 engines from the sellers and both show separate manifolds and head.

Hotrod Lincoln,
Thanks for clueing me in to the 250 and 292 using different water pumps and balancers. According to dimensions listed on Rockauto for Dayco balancers, the 292 balancer is approximately 1/2" thicker than the 250 (1.851" vs 2.355"). The crankshaft bore is the same for both - 1.245". The OD of the nose is the same for both - 1.763". Both balancers are neutrally balanced. The 250 balancer has a tad smaller OD than the 292 balancer (6.713" vs. 6.745"). So, they may be swappable. I'll look into it as an option.

What about the "Mexican" 292 engines? I read production was moved to Mexico ~1980. I also read the Mexican blocks are a thicker casting. Any credence to this information?

292 is the same length as a 250, 30 1/2" Doc.

Si.

I have just done this swap in my 54' 3100 actually! Completely rebuilt the 292 from top to bottom with some moderate upgrades! Feel free to message me for details!

It's been years since the 235 was in this truck so I don't quite remember how it sat, but the water pump/fan does seem to be lower on the radiator (I haven't lowered my radiator....yet?). Some 292's had bypass hoses on the drivers side from the water pump to the thermostat housing, but you can delete this if desired from what I've been told.

As far as the differences between the 75-77 and 78-86, other than mild differences in water pump styles... I honestly don't know so I'll let others chime in here that are more knowledgeable than myself. My 292 is from 1966 I believe.

FYI weight of 292. This is a stock running 292. Flywheel installed. No oil. I tared the rig before weighing.
Block 189.0 pounds.
Intake and exhaust manifold with carb 36.25 pounds.
Delco starter 20.25 pounds.

I just purchased a 1977 Chevy 292 with 110,000 miles. It is complete with the exception of the power steering pump and bracket and the motor mount brackets. The truck did have an automatic, so I'll have to purchase a flywheel. It is being shipped via truck freight and I should receive it in about a week.

If I understand correctly the V-8 conversion tubular crossmember works with a 250, but not easily with a 292 because of the offset 292 motor mount bosses. It may be better to fabricate motor mount brackets that work with the tubular crossmember instead of modifying the crossmember for the factory 292 mounts. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with mounting the 292 in an advance design truck?

9 I bought my motor mounts from Chasis Engineering (see picture). They seem to fit quite nicely on the 3100 or you can fabricate one like GMJager has on the front of his engine see link to pictures in his post on previous page. I know someone in this forum has posted dimension to it in the past but can't recall where.

The 292 and 250 dampers are different for a reason.

I posted it a while back, you can check my posts or I can. Doc

30.5 inches for both 250 and 292. However the 292 is a taller block but fits nice in a 3100. Doc

GMJager, can you tell me how the 750 carburetor with the 12bolt kit is working for you? Would you stick with it or go another route if you had to do it again?

Thanks,
Eric

Bringing back an older post because I need this information. Where is this measured to and from? I need an overall length from bell housing mounting surface to the front of the fan. (This figure seems too short to include the water pump and fan??)

Thanks!

Ron

The v-8 & 250 -6 cyl. flywheels will fit the 292 if you drill the mounting holes out to 1/2 in. from the 7/16 size. The early 292 engines, about 63-66 used the 7/16 flywheel mounting bolts.

George

Ron,

I found this older post on the HAMB that seems to have a bunch of info you may be interested in when considering the 292 transplant.

Somewhere in the thread I think I recall seeing a post that said the fellows 292 measured overall 33.5"s from the "front of the fan to bell housing mounting surface". That may or may not have been considering if a long or short 292 water pump was involved???

A lot of other potentially helpful notes are there that may be useful in considering a 292 swap too.

Thanks for the response! Got exactly what I needed from that post.