Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines New member with a 250 vs 292 question

New to the forum and new to inlines, and for that matter working on engines. Bought a 66 C10 with a smog era 250 in it. Runs decent, leaking oil from rear seal, front seal, side covers, oil pan, valve cover. Has what sounds like a main bearing issue. Most likely going to pull it and rebuild it. So the question is how much of a difference will there be in a car that size between a 250 and 292. I will most likely do some mild mods, bore it, mild cam, headers, intake, etc. So many people go straight to a sbc, but I want to keep some of the older look under the hood too. Oh, it will be hooked up to a 700r4.

Any thoughts? Anyone have an engine shop they trust in Los Angeles that can help me trough the harder parts, cleaning and block work?

Thanks so much guys.

They both cost about the same to build. The 292 will put out 50 more ft lbs of tq across the RPM range.
The 250 will be more efficient with fuel.
Either will pull the 67 C 10 just fine.

Welcome aboard!

Don't rule out the 4200. I have no experience with them yet but they look like a lot of bang for your buck. Thats what my next inline will be.

Thanks all - the 4200 looks like an interesting option, but I think i will be going a bit more original with this first build. If the only thing I am buying with a 292 is torque I will stick with the 250 given that they are easier to find. If I am looking for more HP out of the 250, does lumping the heads make a huge difference?

I would keep an open mind for a truck though, the 292 should be an easy swap if U find one.

When I clocked them, the 292-1bbl would nose out the 250-4bbl every time. In a lighter car with a stick and deep gears the 250 might win, but in a heavy truck and auto trans I'd want the low end of the 292. Depends on the cost to build each ie what each one needs and what deals you find. Comparing a 250 to a 292 is like comparing a 302mouse to a 350mouse - it's hard to beat the extra inches.

What will you use the C 10 for? If it's just driving a 250 will be fine even for light towing. For serious work the 292 is unbeatable. The 50 lbs of torque mentioned is across the range not just a peak point, But like Tom said it takes fuel to do that. Any thing you do to the head can be used later if you change to a 292. The difference in bolting in a 292 is the right motor mount.You can use the same intake and exhaust. Even a 250 cam can be used if you use a electric fuel pump. The 250 is no light weight. Just be honest with yourself about what you want from your pickup.

I never met anyone who said "I have too much low speed torque".
I surprised a lot of people with a 1/2 ton 292 3-speed.

I think at this point, it will be which ever motor I come across with the right price and situation. I am looking for a regular, but not daily driver, engine in Los Angeles. I think that the mpg may out weigh the torque, but it would be nice to know that the truck could handle whatever I throw at it. I guess I will keep trolling the web for a local 292 or 250 and see what I can find. Once I find it the question will be carb set up for sure....4bbl, twin 2bbl, or three 1bbl.