Greetings.

Thought I would first start with I am new to Inliners, thanks for having me.

Quick opinion.

Have a '48 Chev 3100. Looking for the right engine (mix of budget, performance, look, etc.)

Do I go with a 250, 292, or vortec 4200. Have a line on a fairly low mileage running 250 and a running (mileage unknown) 292. Or do I grab the 2006 Vortec 4200 in the salvage yard down the road?

Scott

welcome aboard!
any of the motors you have mentioned are good candidates. the 4200 will be the most technically challenging by far. sit back and search thru old posts, you will find alot of wisdom in those. ask some more questions when you get them. what part of wisc is maribel? tom

Anyone have the RPM limit of a stock 250 or 292? Or the power output for one of these with a mild cam and two carbs? I know it wont be close to th e275+ of the 4200.

Scott

Tom,

Maribel is 15 minutes South of the Epicenter of Football.

Scott

Oh, my gosh! a "Cheesehead"! Welcome Scott.Like has been said,all good choices.Do a web search on the 4200.I know there is/was a shop thet produced hot rods using that engine that someone once linked on this BB.

getting a 250 or 292 into the 200-250 hp range is a fair shot for a daily driver. The rpm limit would be 5-6000 rpms depending on the cam(hyd cam)

dual exhaust, mild cam , updated intake, HEI.bring the compression up some over the stock 8.5-1 (9/9.5-1) And even with very Mild head work.( the very least clean up the Ports)

Hi, Scott, and welcome aboard. As far as I know, the RPM limit of a stock 250 with factory intake and exhaust manifolds and stock carb is about 4000 rpm, and I think the 292 is about the same. I don't recall the exact horsepower figures off the top of my head, but I think a stock 250 puts out about 150-160 horses. Don't know what the figures are for a 292, but I'm sure some of the other guys here do.

Stock 250 is about 145hp, where the 292 is about 155 per the chevrolet archives. however I dont/wont/cant stay stock.

Goal is 200hp on a 250. Cam, intake, carbs, exhaust will run about $800 used, and about double new. That doesnt include other incidentals.

Looking like a vortec 4200 may be less expensive in the long run. (unless someone has some 250/292 parts that they are willing to part with)

67 Chev V8 307 pistons, 1.84" intake valves(Cut down 1.88 305 valves) in a 194 head. Pocket port the valve pockets. Split exhaust manifold and dual carbs or if dual carbs arent in your budget a carb froma 292 truck is big enough for serious power. Comp cams has some nice street cams. I have used the one that says max grind for stock converter. Customer is very happy and tell me it has a way more power than the 305 V8 it replaced,. Get rubber in all three gears adnd is just exellant on gas. That is what he told me. It is a 250

The only part I am not clear on (as I have just started the research) is the pocket porting. Does anyone have pictures, details, etc?

How much air flow is gained by using short bolts (countersunk) in the 3 locations where the intake ports are, cleaning up the area and closing off the top with a 1/2" npt plug?

I know the 194 head has smaller chambers. That will wait for now as these are getting really hard to find.

Summit has pistons, etc for a rebuild when I get that far.

I had planned on making a custom intake and running a pair of 2-bbl, or 3 1-bbl carbs if I stay old-school on the engine. The other choice was a modified TBI setup from an older 4.3, using the distributor from an '82 california emissions 292 (computer controlled) and a pair of 2 liter throttle bodies. That would give me a simple EFI setup with old school twin carb look.

Just an update, here are links to pictures

I have a few questions related to sheetmetal, stuff bolting together (yes, I did purchase a manual off of ebay if the #$%#$ seller ever sends it).

Also, any resident cheeseheads with an early AD within driving range, I need to look at a few items an take some measurements

Scott