The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 250/292 block castings

Can anyone tell me if the 292 casting is stronger then the 250 casting. I'm especially interested in the bottom end. Is the difference just the stroke or is the 292 a heavier casting in general? I believe the weight difference is about 50 pounds. That seems like a lot for 1.75" of stroke. Any input would be appreciated.

Is that math right Mick?

Google thinks that the 250 has a 3.53" stroke and the 292 has a 4.125" stroke, for a difference of 0.595".

The 292 is a completely different casting which was designed for heavy duty applications.
Some of the components interchange with the 250 but the block is taller.
Fred

I don't know. I'm all screwed up now. I checked the specs on my billet crank Crower made for me and it's 4.120". Whatever that's worth.

If my high school math is right that comes out to an extra 42.09 cubic inches. So I would say your right. For .595 I think Ill stick with the 292 block. I have a Mexican 292 block some say they are better some say they suck?

GM used the same block for the 230 as they did for the 250, so I doubt its as strong as the 292. 292 came in all sizes of trucks, never in cars. Stick with the 292.

I agree with you. I have been told the 250 is 200 lbs. lighter than the 235 and the 292 is 150 lbs. lighter. I have a 235, 250, and 292 short blocks I could weigh. Now I'll have to. That 50 lbs is not being made up in .595 of extra cylinder wall. I think I will send him 3 292's. I can probably fit 3 on a 4'x4' pallet or crate. One crappy one to cut up. A good 292 and my Mexican 292 and he can sonic check them. He can tell me if the Mexican block is actually thicker. He also wants to check for "core shift" in the casting. I may be stating that wrong. The extra deck height will help my valve train geometry.

I always thought the Mexican blocks were made from better material, sounds like the machinist is on top of game. Keep us posted.

He comes highly recommended. I think that the fact it's unusual got his interest. He said to me "I've done some crazy stuff" and told me some stories. It has always amazed me that these important people in the industry even talk to me. They are just like you or me. The trick is to get in touch with them 1:1. They do not have published numbers. I managed to get a hold of an exec at Crower and convinced him to make my billet crank that I was told "no thanks" by them. He told me it's the only billet crank they have ever made for a Chevy I6. I believe him because I have the programing fees to prove it. He hooked me up with a Global Glass exec and he's making me acoustic glass for the side and back windows on my 53 3100 and armored glass for the windshields. The blower will be right in front of the windshield on the "hot chick" side of the truck. You just have to get in the circle. I'm respectful, honest, and sincere and that goes a long way.

Hi Mick - I also have a 292 (complete engine, 'runner' ; from a 1ton chevy flat-bed : year was about 75 - 78 ? ) .
I bought this engine , and got too hear it running (if that means anything), plus , it also has a 'rebuild tag on one side' , of the block. I think , I'd use this engine , but it also has some 250ci parts installed.
The water pump = is not the 292 pump , nor is the 'intake & exhaust' , (those are looking just like my 250ci , in my 69 Nova. (my Nova engine IS the factory 'numbers engine' . . thus, I trust it more.
I did / have tried too find more info , for the 292 (Hecto in Mexico) . My block casting number is : 93406004 (I was told = year 75 - 84) . The date casting number (does make more sense , B 23 81 (Feb 23 , 1981) ?
This engine does have the engine ID number , on the dist pad - - but, who knows , what that means = M B 12594 ? ? ?
Then, I also had heard the "saying" , The Mexican Blocks were made better - - (but, that's only 'hear-say, I think' ) .
Could there be more info , about how too I D these engines - - I've (kinda) been looking , for more / better info (for about 10 yrs.) . . . and 'nothing' .
I really like what your are doing , and try too follow along . . . . keep going .


jim
Chino Valley , Arizona

Another source for the 292 blocks would be farm equipment salvage yards- - - -combines, and other pieces of off road equipment ran 292 engines for a while.
Jerry

I have a couple of 292's from combines. We have a couple of farm implement salvage yards here. You can buy a 292 for $300 and hear it run. They said they would sell me 5 for $1000 if I pulled them.