The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Conversion from 216 to 292

Has anyone done a complete documentation of the conversion from 216 to 292 w/ T-5 trans on a 51 3/4 ton truck? Motor mount placement, front to side and the rear mounts? Radiator clearance? Drive shaft(s)?Clutch linkage? Starter?

Welcome to the Bolt, Chip.

I don't know about a complete documentation of what you are asking.
I'm betting that you will have to get your answers supplied in smaller stages.
If you click on the triangle by the "Search" button above and type in "292 swap"
using the quotation marks and then search you will find several previous threads
on your topic.

I know "carolines truck" has done the 292 swap and used a t-5 also.

He has documented a lot of what he did in his albums
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h298/1951otter/?start=all

I'll bet someone will be along sooner or later to give better advice on what to do.

I have considered that swap too, along with several other repower schemes. Good luck and please share with us any info you do find.

Thank you. The site is certainly a place to start. Being the anal retentive person I am, I also will photograph my progress. Maybe between us all, we can high lite the pros and cons of this swap. I would assume a swap to a 250 block would entail the same fit problems as the 292, yes?

No, the major difference is the motor mounts. The 250 motor mounts are equal distance in the middle of the block. The 292 has the passenger side forward of the 250. The other difference is the 292 block is taller than the 250, which can cause problems in passegner cars.

Larry

The side motor mounts are no problem with a number of shops making "kits." The question become one of where the mounts go relative to the frame. Both fore and aft and up and down. The only way I see is to "dry fit" the motor, but given the length difference what does one use as a reference point.

The next question is the trans mount. I had thought about trying to move the cross member back, but clutch and brake pedals and linkages will have to move. The idea of a second cross member does not support (no pun intended)my goal of having everything "look" stock.

My plan is to position the block relative to the firewall and see where things lay.

The MYTH of 216/235/261 vs. 230/250/292 block length keeps coming up. There is almost NO difference in block length, period! Actually, the 230/250/292 series engines are a tiny bit SHORTER than the 235/261s. The post 1962 engines are over 20% lighter as well. See page 2 of Leo Santucci's book, a late L6 must have.

For mounting, bolt a '56 through '67 truck V-8 bell housing to your 250/292 and use the original rear mounts. The common front mount for AD trucks is the ford flathead style. Add a rear cross member if that makes you feel better or use a long, heavy automatic. See Tech Tips for info on bell housings and starters.

best wishes,

Les

Have not done this in my truck but I think this would be a super combo. I think one issue may be the carrier bearing deal, if you go with to long a drive shaft could cause problems, not sure the max safe length on a one piece drive shaft??? I

love my 3/4 ton flatbed, my plan would include an automatic trans for easy crusing. I did install a 292 in a 48 Fleetline, Landon's had the mounts, were really no problem.