Inliners International Forums General Discussion Hi Performance 64 Biscayne project

I'm currently in the planning stage for my 64 Biscayne 2 dr post project. Currently has a decent running 230/powerglide. Unfortunately it also has a 5" long crack in the block, in the water jacket behind the alternator.

I've been thinking about buying a stock rebuilt 292 from advance/autozone/napa (recon brand or similar) and adding an offy 4bbl manifold, edelbrock 500cfm carb, langdon's exhaust headers, and maybe a mild cam. Some head work may come later (maybe Sissell's econo flow job?) My goal is LOTS of low end with a max of about 4000 RPM.

I've got a 200-4r to install behind it. I'd like to retain the stock 3.08 rear end. Will a 292 like this pull hills ok with very tall gears? With 26" tires I'll be looking at about 2000 rpm at 70 mph in overdrive. I dont mind using 3rd gear at slower hiway speeds. Should I get reasonable fuel mileage with this setup? It currently gets about 17 with the 230/pg (3000 rpm at 70mph)

I would like some input from you guys, especially those of you with 292 powered CARS.

1 - Will a 292 oil pan clear the crossmember (or can I use my 230 pan on the 292)
2 - 200-4r strong enough for a mild 292? Not planning on abusing it, just normal street driving.
3 - I realize that the stock rebuild will have a very low (8:1?) compression ratio. Can I bump it up to 9:1 or so by milling the head? Would this be worth the effort? Would like it to run OK on regular 87 octane gas.
4 - Hood clearance. Doesn't look like there's much room above the stock air cleaner, but an edelbrock carb is quite a bit shorter than the stock rochester 'B' right?
5 - Anyone personally use Sissell's econo flow head? Maybe with the bigger valves and/or head bolt bosses removed. What's the best bang for the buck? Let's assume for now that I don't have a good local machine shop that knows these engines.
6 - 2" dual exhaust flow well enough? I'd like to run the looong Smithy's mufflers on it.
7 - Cam suggestion for low rpm use? Or will the stock one work OK?
8 - Pros and cons on the right side engine mount... ie moving the mount back on the block like Ted65Malibu vs moving the frame mounting points forward

W/a 292 you will probably get 14-16 MPG
That's my guestimate

Remember the 292 is a couple inches taller than the 230 when doing your height calculations. I put a 292 in a 66 Chevy II and had to use a very thin air filter element to clear the stock hood.

The 200R4 should be fine behind the 292, but with the 3:08s, it may be too much in OD. Maybe something like a 3:42 would be better; definitely more fun! Something like a Comp 260 or a Clifford 264 would probably be a good cam for what you are planning.

As far as motor mounts are concerned, two things to think about. Are you using a mechanical fuel pump and will you ever want to go back to the smaller motor or a V? You will like need to move the frame mount to clear the fuel pump, but if you want to easily swap to different motors you will want to modify the mount on the motor.

Good luck on your 64!