Alright so the check is in the mail for a Chevy 292 big Six. The plan is to put into my 1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe. This is the original drive train with zero modifications. I have been reading that this conversion might be a bit of a bear, so I am asking the HAMBs to lend some guidence to a FNG. What will I have to or should buy to make this project work by summer.
Step 1 is going to be if that ******* will fit. I've seen 300 straight six Fords stuffed into Falcons... but they needed firewall clearancing, radiator shoved forward and the hood raised lol. They're a big *** motor, as is the Chevy 292. Measure the 216 that's in there right now and figure out how much clearance you have with the hood shut, and front to back. Now measure the 292 and see what the differences are. -Chris
This shouldn't be such a awful task. The 292 is no longer than the 194/230/250 engines, the heads interchange. They are taller, but the space under the hood of your Chevy should leave lots of room. The radiator clearance will be the only significant clearance issue and that can be dealt with in one or more ways. Moving the radiator forward, either fabricating brackets to do so, or possibly reversing the soldered on brackets may offer some relief. I haven't owned a '51 Chev in a very long time, but I did have one, but cannot accurately picture the core support/radiator brackets etc. You may also want to consider a new radiator as the original is nearly 60 years old. In that case, a new one can be fabricated to the dimensions you need and with brackets that mount it sufficiently ahead of the engine. If your 292 has a rear sump pan, and those I have do, you'll probably be okay with the center pivot steering bellcrank. Likewise, steering box and drag link shouldn't be an issue. Motor mounts will have to be fabricated. The 292 block has provisions for side mounts.........perhaps you use stockers and make frame brackets to meet them. Hang in there, be thorough, do it right and you'll be very happy with the results. Ray
you'll want to loose the original drivetrain as trans and rearend (torque tube) are wimpy and don't bolt up to late engine anyway....Lots of choices there as 292 has same bell hsg setup as V8 sbc...automatic or 4-5 speeds...rear end you can use 55-64 chevy if you want drop in style diff..or a nova 10 or 12 bolt style fits good...my 52 has a 10 bolt...when you put an open D/L rearend in you need to drill a centerbolt hole in the mtg pad 1-1/2" ahead of the center line as the 51 center spring center bolt is not in the center of the wheel well (because of the pivot for t/tube style rear)...If you are racing or plan to abuse the old girl much;you better put some traction masters on those wimpy 13/4" springs...they'll work just fine if you have something to take the torq of the rear axle so your springs don't wind up... Get yourself a "Chevrolet Inline Six Cylinder POWER MANUAL" by Leo Santucci at your local bookstore; EXCELLENT reading...all you ever need to know about your 292 or 250!! GOOD luck and GOOD building !
On ebay on the other end...saw this ****** T-10 Transmission 4 Speed 63/64 Corvette Close Ratio Good choice? or is there better? I would love to keep the manual on the coloum if possible.
If you want to keep the original manual shift column I would recommend you consider a Saginaw 3 Speed full syncro trans. They were used in Chev cars from '65 up, I believe, and in pickups from around that time and well beyond as well. Plenty rugged for the 292 and you'll love the syncro 1st gear. I think there may be some variation in gear ratio sets, depending on application, but I doubt that matters much for normal street use. Oh, and as a bonus, they are usually quite inexpensive to buy. Ray
I just sold my complete adapter change-over setup to do just what you want. There have been other adapters in the cl***ifieds here and over on KillBillet.com. As long as you don't beat on it, the stock 3-speed and enclosed driveline/rearend will be fine; beat on it, and they're done. Butch/56sedandelivery.
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