v8 is a lot cheaper, if thats the main goal take the v8, but if you want to take the high road and want something just a hair bit different with some flavor and pizzaz, then hit the 292, its a good motor and will run well with a load and do well just as a a daily driver ya know, 3.08's are kinda low but with just the 1:1 rear ration of a 3 speed final gear, it should be ok-ish? little low for me though, byt should retain adequetly good RPM's on the freeway and not suck too much gas, the gas mileage will probably be about the same, or maybe a little more, but not alot. I think that the big advantage for the six would be good low end torque which will be good USEABLE power while driving around, because how many of us really ever see 5000-6000 RPMS anyway, so for its purpose of off idle and mid-range power the 292 will be great!!! This motor doesn't tend to get too expensive until you get into the guts of the motor, like head work, pistons, hi-performance parts and so on, but maybe with a couple of langdons weber carbs (cheap by the way!!!) and HEI, and a set of headers, mild cam and maybe a quick block/deck shave to get that compression up to adequete levels, like 8.5-9.0 range, you would really like this motor and retain good mileage. but a v8 will most likely in all cases be cheaper, especially when coming to the guts and performance parts/head work, but it also depends on how much work each motor needs once the rebuild comes ya know!!! good luck and GOD speed, keep us posted
