GM's later 292 inline six was designed as a light truck powerplant to succeed the Chevrolet 261 and the GMC 270-302. It wil make more horsepower at higher rpm, and it has seven main bearings rather than four contributing to that interest. i believe that a well-built 302 will equal and often exceed the low- and mid-range torque of any later 292. The choice between one or the other depends on application and intended use.
When we compare the GMC 270 and 302 to the Chevrolet inline sixes of their own generation, a well-built 302 will clearly out-perform any 216, 235, or 261 in a chassis of equal weight. A 261 can compete with a 270, but both are limited by displacement. As we used to say, "They ain' no substitute for cubic inches." When faced with a full-out Ford flathead,"3/8 x 3/8" or larger, or with a Cadillac, Olds, Buick, or Chevrolet v-thing from that era, i want a GMC making all the torque it can (and a transmission and differential to stand up to it).
God's Peace to you.
d
Inliner #1450
