The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop can I replace a 216 with a 292?

Hi, I have a '49 Canadian gmc 1ton 9ft box. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/cepyelland/my%20GMC/picture3301.jpg I would like to replace my 216 with a 292cid engine. I want to keep the 6cyl look but have the torque and hp of a larger truck engine. Is it hard to do? Can I keep my 4spd trans? do I need the flywheel and clutch that fits the 292?. Currently my rear gears are 5.14:1? (as 45mph is about top end) with at least 4.11 if not 3.73 but I belive I will be under powered with the stock 216. And I don't want to throw a rod tring to go 50mph.

Howdy Captain!

The swap you want to do is certainly possible. Frankly with enough money and time about anything is possible. I do know that for your swap you will have to change motor mounts and possible fabricate some things for it. I don't think it will be a very serious involved change over.

Let's wait and see what some of the more experience residents of the Bolt' will say.

A V-8 bellhousing for the 55-up trucks will allow you to bolt the 292 to the existing transmission. You might have to make a crossmember change since the motor mounts are likely to be at a different angle than your present X-member. You'll also need to fabricate a front mount of some type since the 292 mounts are unique to that engine. Not easy, but doable. The highest rear end ratio that's going to be readily available is a 4.56:1, with a very few 4.11's out there. Most of the 4.11's got used up by us dirt track racers back in the 70's and 80's.
Jerry

These are the front mounts Tom Langdon sells as an example of what you will need. Others have fabbed their own or mixed matched parts from after market suppliers.

http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/acartpro/product.asp?productid=138

captain as others mentioned the swap is doable. However on another note, i know of a fellow bolter getting 55mph out of his 216 in a 46 1Ton panel with the SM420 and tall tires. He has been running 3000 RPM for years.

If I can get ready to install front engine mounts, and the transmission input shaft is standard and will stick into a 292 that had a 4spd standard on it? is the 292 longer? will I have to move or change my rad? or just the fan spacer?

I've got a 216 and a 250 (same length as a 292) sitting in my school shop. I can give you some overall dimensions including bellhousing length tomorrow. The clutch disc spline for the 292 will probably be the same as the older one, or the early disc can be used with the 292 flywheel and pressure plate.
Jerry