Hey Guys,
I've come across a 292 engine with 4 speed transmission for about $650. I'm tempted to make the plunge as the engine is currently running and had the original 70,000 miles on it. But, I started to do some reseach and I have come up with a question.

Why is everyone so obsessed with the 250 and 292 engines? Why are they better then a 235?

Horsepower and Torque wise, the ratings are all very similar in stock form. I'm sure there are advances in the later 292 engines over a 235, for example; My 235 is from 54 the 292 I'm looking at is from 65, I dont know specifics but there has to be a slight improvement over the 11 years. But, is the added HP and Tq really worth it?

Now, If you want to turbo charge the engine like I was consdiering, I know there are different versions of the 292 that may be BETTER for boost. But, these benefits don't stop anyone from boosting.

What am I missing?

is the added HP and Tq really worth it?

Worth what?

I'd like to say the differance is day & night. If your a old school buff or nostalga type of guy the 235-261 is for you. If your old enought to have driven one in high school or DAD had one the 235-261 is an addiction. If your an inline fan because you don,t enjoy having a belly-button engine [sbc-everyone has one ]the 250-292 is probally the best bang for the buck. Lighter engine-lighter more modern valve train-more advanced engeering-more bell housing,transmission possablities. Just my thoughts!! 1 OL REDNECK

The 235 is a 1950 engine.
The 250 is a 1960 engine.
They're completely different.

The 216/235 is a 1930's design with a poorly designed combustion chamber. Go with the 292.

Ron

Did the 250 engine start in 1960?
I thought is was later.

MBHD

292 about 450 pounds. 235 about 600 pounds!

What a heavy piece!

1963?

Referring to the technology, in very round terms.
Gen-3 begins 1962.

The thinwall lightweight inline six was introduced in the 1962 Chevy II, with a displacement of 194 cubic inches. The 230 and 250 are pretty much bored and stroked 194's, and the 292 is a different block, but with compatible parts, like the head, valvetrain, oil pump, etc.

L22
The L22 was a 250-cubic-inch (4.1 L) I6 engine produced from 1967 to 1979. The '78 Camaro had 105 horsepower (78 kW) and 190 ft·lbf (260 N·m) of torque with the 250.


Brazil held on to the 250 (Known as the 4.1 there) until 1998 for passenger cars when the Chevrolet Omega A was replaced by rebadged Australian Holdens. was held in Brazil for up to 2001 in Chevrolet Silverado when the line was extinct.

MBHD

If you want a low RPM stump pulling engine,go w/a 292.
4.120" stroke gets it done.

MBHD

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Although things got a little off topic...

MBHD and all:
I want an engine for a daily driver. I want to build an inline 6 to be different and weird at the same time. I would really, really, really like to turbo charge the engine.

Is the 292 a better engine to turbo over a 250?

MBHD said, "if you want a stumppulling..." This is exactly what my point was. The 292 was meant for a truck, and although the displacement is higher I am concerned that I won't be able to rev this engine very high to take advantage of the turbo.

Turbo has nothing to do with RPM, it's based on exhaust gas volume.

I am not too fond on the 292 cranks stroke,,4.120",,that's a lot especially w/an inline 6.

I believe you need to do more things to a 292 to make it rev high,not so much for a 250.

The main problem w/the 250's & other low deck blocks,is the front drivers side head bolt boss.
They tend to crack & even break when making a lot of power.
That's probably what happened to Douglas' 250 engine block ,,broke the front corner off.

I believe there is more potential power can be made from a 250 over a 292 turbocharged engine.
I used to rev my 250 to 7500 rpm, not on purpose,just to see if it made power up there & it did.
Twisted6 ,used to spin his 250 to 8000+ RPM.
Douglas, 7500 w/a turbo.
Not too many guys like to spin there 292's really high.
Guys in Brazil, do not use the 292,they all (for the most part) use a 250 engine for racing.

MBHD

Turbo has alot to do with RPM. BUT, it depends on the turbo of choice. But, the larger turbos don't get up into their efficency range until the higher rpm range for example: full boost at 3500 rpm until 6500. Then the boost will begin to fall off. Again, this is all dependent on turbo selection.

So a 292 producing 422 CFM of exhaust gas @ 5,000 RPM is different than a 250 producing 422 CFM of exhaust gas @ 5,840?

How does the turbo know which is which?

The turbo will know the difference when it will spool faster/sooner @ lower rpms w/the 292.

Funny hah,ha?

MBHD

I keep making this same mistake.

Well if you read through my post you will see my concerns about being able to rev the engine to "High" r.p.m.'s

So based on the turbo you reference, a 250 engine would have to rev "Higher" then the 292. So, IF (IF is important word usage here) it cost alot more money to rev these engines to 5,840, then the 292 MAY be a better engine of choice. ALTHOUGH, i would never pick an engine based on the turbo i want to run. I would pick the turbo based on my engine. BUT, if I had to rev a 250 to 5,840 r.p.m. to run a turbo to get me 300h.p., for example I might be getting in over my head.

I am asking questions to help me determine my powertrain setup, which is the beauty of starting with a blank canvas.

But thanks for being a smartass

I'll certainly keep that clever remark in mind for your future questions.

So is the 250 engine the best bang for the buck?

Yes, in short the 250 is the best bang for the buck.

I just don't like the 4.120" stroke. That's fine for a BBC,or even more stroke is good,,but for a long inline 6, no thanks,unless,you just want a low RPM engine (just saying as a general term folks) & that's fine also,it's a judgement call,& you need to make the call.

If only the 250's had a stroke of 3.75"-3.85"

MBHD