The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop What do you guys think of the 292 six?

Just bought a 1950 frame from a guy. The frame has been blasted and powder coated. It has a new rearend (I think a dana 44). He bought a 292 from one of his friends that had it in his 50 truck. He rebuilt the engine (new cam, pistons the works) and mounted in the frame. He had a 350 turbo connected up but took it out for the sale. The guys father was redoing the truck for several years and had gotten this far and lost interest. The son got the truck and decided to put an S10 frame under it. He just wanted to get rid of the original frame and the 292 motor. I couldn't believe my eyes when I went to get it. Already has the radiator mounted and everything. You want believe what I payed for it.... $600 dollars for the whole thing (good deal you think?). Motor has been cranked. This thing is totally ready just waiting on a body. I have a 50 - 3 window and a 53 - 5 window and I am trying to decide which to build on top of this frame. Also trying to decide what transmission to install. I can use either one of the 3 speeds in the trucks I have but am considering a 350 turbo automatic. I have also heard talk about a 5 speed from an S10. Love to know what you guys think about the motor (is it a good motor?) and what transmission to put in. thanks for any advice you can give. To see pics of the frame and motor click on the link below.
Ole skool trucks
P.S. I am uploading pics to photobucket now. If you do not see them, check back shortly and they will be loaded.
http://s454.photobucket.com/albums/qq267...%20292%20motor/

The 292 is just this side of bullet proof. They came stock with as much hp as a 283 SBC but have the torque of a 350. I had a 67 GMC with a 292 when I was a kid and it would pull a six horse trailer all day long. In fact, I picked up a 68 with a 292 in it just yesterday.

Bruce

I would put a NV3500 behind the engine over a T5 if you want to stay stick. These came out of the S-10's with the 4.3 V6 and will bolt up to the 292. If you want an Automatic, a 700R4 is the way to go, you just need to add another brake light switch and a vacuum switch to get the OD to work properly.

Get a guild sheet on the engine to see if they built it stock, or bumped up the compression or gave it a better cam, etc. The 292 has a long stroke for lots of torque, however is not a high RPM engine. Stock HP will vary from year to year, however you can get about 250 out of them with out much effort.

Good buy on that. I myself would do the 5-window, then again, its your project.

Back in the late 1960's a local drag racer around Nashville built up a fiberglass T Model roadster body into a D-altered class drag car, using a 292 engine with 3 Weber side draft carbs and a radical camshaft, and I think he bumped the compression up to match the cam. He was outrunning all the new muscle cars with ease. The guys with the GTO's and Olds 442's refused to run with him at all, and the Dodge hemis only beat him occasionally.
Jerry

That is a very good motor and pretty good on fuel. It isn't perfect, but it is one of the best Chevrolet motors.

I personally would not put an automatic in anything if I had a choice. The five speed manual sounds like a good choice to me, with the overdrive.

Thanks for the feedback. I just couldn't pass up the deal. I believe I am going to stick with the original 3 speed and see how it does.
Ole skool trucks

Guys, I really appreciate all of you taking the time to give me some advice. Scott Danford, I am leaning towards the 5 window also.

i think you will really like the 292. they are my personal favorite. it you want to drive interstate speed you may want to consider the t5 from the s10 or the auto if it has overdrive. they are a torque monster, and can be built for power. better than a small block- one head gasket, quicker valve adjustment, easier timing adjustment, no fuel pump rod, easier spark plug changes, easier exaust, direct drive timing- no chain slop, the list goes on and on. plus turning a rebuilt 292 with with the head off and seeing 1@6, 2@5, and 3@4 all working in perfectly balance perfection is a sight a v8 can't reproduce. hr

thanks for the info hoggyrubber! I am getting more excited by the moment that I have made a good purchase. Go to my site and see the pics of the frame and motor and see what you think.
ole skool trucks
http://photobucket.com/AlansStovebolts

I run a MY6 4sp. manual O.D. trans behind my 292 with 3.08 axle gears. As stated by others, these are hard pulling motors. All you need is to get the gearing for your situation. Mine is in my '55 Bel Air daily driver.
Doug

i have a three window and when i back out i wish i had a 5 for visibility sake. as far as trans think way ahead. i put in a s/10 five speed and love it because i did not want to spend the extra money. now have put a ton of money in it i wish i had stepped up to the plate and put a 700r4 or 200r4 in because i am have nerve problems in my right arm and down the road when my son inherits it he won't want to drive a stick in a big city. BTW he lives in Indianapolis. my two cents.

Thanks desertdog. What did your MY6 4sp come out of? I am sorta new to all this. I am not sure what the rearend is in this frame I bought (pretty sure it is a dana 44,gotta check the ratio). Thanks for your help and taking the time to comment.
ole skool trucks

Ole Skool, MY6's were used from 81-86 in some pick-ups & vans as I understand it. Ratios are 3.09, 1.67, 1.00, & 0.73. IF you get serious looking for one, here's two tips: Be sure the case (Alum.) has a Chevy bolt pattern on the front face AND as with any O.D. trans, engine to trans. alignment is critical. Many of these were no done right either at the factory or in later conversions. Consequently, it is very common upon dis-assembly to find the rear bore in the input shaft galled out, the caged roller bearing set there junk, AND the nose of the mainshaft junk. One can be seen in my pic's link below. Inspect carefully before purchase. Then, align it carefully & its a great gearbox. Same trans was used behind big block Mopars. Some good info avail., do a online search. Hope this helps - Doug

thanks Desertdog for the info on the tranny and all the "buyer beware" info. If you didn't know to look for this I am sure you could get taken on a bad tranny.

Later