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
