I'm starting to hunt for a 292 to put in my Willys Overland PU. The Buick V-6 the previous owner installed has problems, interferes with getting the suspension the way I want and doesn't have the oomph I need. I grew up with a 292 and like the torque, etc. so I'm looking for information about good/bad blocks, etc so if I have a choice I won't blow it (again)
Turkey - If you don't already have a copy, get Leo Santucci's book "Chevrolet Inline Six Cylinder Power Manual". It's the "292 bible" for both stock and performance info. I got my copy on Amazon.com for less than $15. Good luck.
I have over 20+ years experience building and prepping Super Stock, Comp Eliminator, and Pro Stock engines for many past and current top contenders in both the NHRA and IHRA ranks. One of my favorite customers of all times is many,many time NHRA Comp cl*** champ and national record holder, Cotton Perry. He had a Chevy 11 with a 292 that he campaigned throughout the mid-70's and early 80's and was very dominate with his engine. Many times the 6 cylinder is overlooked for a possible choice as a powerplant. As you mentioned, they are very torquey and have a lot of HP potential as well. The Mexican blocks and heads always seemed to provide the best record breaking engines. The fastest engine was nicknamed "Julio", and at the US Nationals at Indy in 1986, set both ends of the cl*** record in a rear engine dragster that was owned by fellow Comp racer Brian Browell and driven by Perry. The ET was 8.04 and the MPH was over 165 in the 1/4 mile, and was used in many Comp Cams ads afterwards and was given the ***le "The worlds quickest and fastest 6 cylinder".This was before you could buy much decent speed equipment for these engines. It had a homemade sheet metal intake with 3 Holley 2300 style carbs on it. The valve cover, was two SBC Moroso valve covers cut in half and tig'ed back together. It used BBC roller rockers(no body made them for the 6's at that time), and the cylinder head was the stock head that has heavily ported and filled. Now you can buy aftermarket aluminum heads for them. I personally think they have a lot of potential. You really can hurt some V-8 owners feelings with them!
I also say go get the book.....I drive Leo's current car....we went 9.78 this past fall.....with a 292.....he is one smart cookie with those engines.....If I can hook you up with him...let me know..... He love to talk and help people with their combonations.....
Me 3! I agree with everything said above. Leo's book is the source. I am in the process of putting together an injected, turboed, 292 for my '68 1 ton flatbed. These are great engines.
I used an '82 Mexican block in my 68 Chevy shortbox with Clifford 4 barrel intake, Q-jet and Clifford headers, Used a coil-in-cap HEI and an old chevy 3 speed overdrive transmission. The '82 engine [a left-over new Frito-Lay rebuild not used when Frito Lay went to all diesel engines] had a lot less piston slap and wristpin noise than the original '68, 292. I always wanted to work the cylinder head and use a bigger cam.
Reworking that head will be one of the best wake-up calls you can give that motor. You can stuff any cam,carb exhaust you want to it,But you'll never get out of it what you want till you can make that Head breath. That is one of the biggest things you can do to these motors Is to make it breath. In stock trim they only do about 170 cfm. Port them and do a lump port and you can be looking at the 250 plus Cfms Now you have something that will make some power.
Twisted knows what he's talking about. I think he even builds those heads. Check out inliners.org when it get back up. Search old posts there. From what is here, there, and Santucci's book there is a wealth of info on the 292. There are also lots of knowledgeable guys willing to help.
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