The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 292 or 235 which is better?

I currently have a seized up /cracked block 216 in my 1950 3/4 ton. I have my eye on a 1954 235 truck engine with all the speed equip... dual carb. intake, dual exhaust headers, alum. valve covers. I also have a friend who has several 292s which he keeps trying to sell me. I would put an a833 out of 1984 chevy truck behind the 235 and a Camero 5spd behind the 292.(both with a more modern rear end) I am trying to figure out which way to go.

When the truck is done I want to be able to drive it anywhere with out worry. (not looking of an interstate speed-demon though) I will be pulling a trailer from time to time as well.

I don't want to have to cut or heavily modify anything under the hood. I like the originality and old look of the 235 and power of the 292.

How difficult is the 292 swap? Will the 235 be fine?

I'm certain I know what 95% of the responses will be so I won't be one of them. My only suggestion is buy all the 292's you can and if there are still some left let me know.

A '54 235 is a straight-forward swap that would require almost no modifications, except those needed to support the hop up parts.

The 292 in fully 25% bigger than the 235 (cu. in.) and could make substantially more power.

Where the 235 is basically a bolt-in swap the 292 requires V-8 style mounts and a different bell housing.

I don't understand your statement about using the A833 with the 235 and a 5-speed with the 292. Both motors can readily be adapted to either trans and neither is really a heavy duty transmission.

Easiest swap is the 235. The 292 would be easier than a V-8.

Nice to know can you run a th350 or 700r4 onthe 292 or would i still need the adapter plate like if i was to use my stock 216 and can i run the foot starter with the 292 with or without the auto?

the 292 has the v8 and 63 and up inline bolt pattern so no adapter plate needed to run anything like that. it will need flex plate for auto, or pilot bushing and clutch if you run a manual. the foot starter is 6 volt and the 292 will need to be 12 volt as far as i know. they may make some coverter for the ignition circut and starting circut so you can keep most 6 volt or you may want to change over to 12 volt.

Thanks for the info can you or anyone else tell me if this is a decent price for a 292 the guy said he had it rebuilt about 10 years ago then covered and shelfed it in his garage he wants $600 obo for it seems like a decent price to me???
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k237/bigtony55/000_0010_1.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k237/bigtony55/000_0003_4.jpg

Do you trust your friend? Any receipts? Any warrantee? If he is willing to let you put it in and start it then I'd think it was a good deal. As I understand it the friend rebuilt and it has not been run.
Let us know what happens... but yes, I'd go with the 292 if possible. I remember having those in our school buses back in the mid 60's and they are killer engines....and I've seen quite a few on the round dirt tracks back in them days to. Tough ones.

I dont know they guy found it online locally he has all the parts for it and it looks to be nice in the pics he sent im going too look at it in person tomorrow im sure ill but it if it turns over freely and looks clean inside etc

looks on the up and up, from the pictures, but you never know. i would think you could get a good running one for less than $600, but you can't build it for near that. sooo..... is it too much, i don't know.

I went and looked it over looked brand new on the inside fresh cylnider walls rebuilt head fresh cam etc he had all the parts to complete it including brand new headers and i got it for $450 i think i did pretty good now all i need it to figure out what or where to get the mounts to put it in my 49 suburban i know it was said to use v-8 style mounts but do they sell a kit to do that or do i need to fab them?

I think that the motormounts for a 292 are staggered. The mounts for a small block are straight across from each other.

I found the mounting kit for the swap took be some time to go thru older topics thanks