The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 250 vs 292

Hello
I have a 67 Chevy short step & am trying to decide if I should keep the 250 six thats in it or use the 292 six I have in another truck (a 67 GMC long fleet)Plan to keep the Chevy & sell the GMC
The 292 seems to run smoother than the 250 & have been told they're better motors
So far have rebuilt the front end & rear end, power steering & power assist brake master & put in a turbo 350 trans
any advice will be appreciated

Hy step67, If the truck was never equipped a 292 from the factory it would involve a lot of fabricating to install it, if it would fit at all, different mounts are needed and it is physically taller than a 250. Hope this helps you make up your mind, I'm not trying to scare you just make you aware of whats involved.

The 292 was an available option in your truck. It mounts a bit bifferent so it'll take a little work to convert, but not to bad, if thats what you decide to do. To convert or not depends on what you want to do with your truck. If you are going to tow anything or routinely haul stuff, I'd say go with the 292 for the extra low end torque of the truck motor. However, the 250 is a better hot rod motor. The best way to get horsepower from a small displacement engine is wind it way up. For example my 1100 cc motorcycle engine makes 120 horses, but ya gotta wind it 9000 rpm! The shorter stroke and lighter crank of the 250 allow you to wind it higher quicker without a bunch of custom work, and the 250 is still a 7 main bearing engine, so it is very tough. Go over to the Inliners International site and check out what some of the guys are doing. On this board, even though it is called Stovebolt.Com, you'll find a lot of resistance to actually using a stovebolt motor in your truck.

Boo

If you have both trucks there it should be an easy swap. Both engines were available in those models. The 292 is a tougher engine. It was built for trucks. The only weak part is the stock exhaust manifolds. When driven hard they will warp, crack, & burn out gaskets.

The biggiest problem you will have is the power steering brackets. The 292 block is 1 3/4 taller than the 250. The Alternator bracket will have to me moved up. There are at least two different alt brackets, one appears to be cast and the other two pieces of steel welded. My .02
Larry

I want to thank all,for your advise. Since I have both trucks the mounting of the engine shouldn't be a problem I can swop mounts etc. from one truck to another. The 292 has power steering on it as well as Larry mentioned.
Basically I want the more reliable way to go (most people tell me get a V8) but as Boo stated we don't need no stinking V8.

i switched from a 250 to 292...they both run about to same to me..the 250 could whine up little faster but doesn't have the torque the 292 has..

I have a 292 in my 65, and no disrespect to the 6 cylinder. I plan on putting in a 454. But I do have to say the toughest engine I ever had was a 6, it was in a dodge truck a 225 slant 6. Ran without oil and water for about 70 miles and all it done was crack a head,burn up the water and oil pump. I put a new head on it, both pumps, and checked my bearings, filled it up with fluids and went another 80,000 with no problems.