Originally Posted By: sodell
I purchased a freshly rebuilt 292 from Leo Santucci a while ago. It is basically stock with a mild Reed cam in it. It is going in a 79 Chevy Bonanza truck that currently has an intergral head 250 with a TH350 (the trans is staying as is). I have purchased a water heated Clifford manifold and headers.
I want to put a 4 barrel on it that will give me reasonable fuel mileage and reasonable performance. I am more interested in reliability and fuel mileage than performance. The truck is just a weekend driver that I sometimes use to pull my Moto Guzzi sidecar rig on a small trailer on long trips.
From what I have researched it looks like a new box stock Holley 390 would be a good choice. I was just wondering if I could get some feedback from members here on this choice or other choices. I actually prefer fuel injection systems like the FAST system but the cost is out of reach at this time.
Also, I am pulling the 250 out this summer. It is high mileage but in running condition now, with new lifters recently put in. It also has a hand made valve cover on it to replace that ridiculous reed valve cover with the two towers that intergrals had. It came out pretty good and works well. I am giving it away free to the first person who comes to get it out of my garage. So if you are looking for one keep me in mind. I live in Hackettstown, NJ, 07840.


Is the trans a TH350C (lockup converter)? If not find a lockup version - direct bolt in and you will save about 5-10% on the highway. All you need to control it is the lockup switch kit that TCI and others offer. Runs off the ported vac port on the carb.


51 GMC 4.2 turbo
Can't solved today's problems using the same technology/thinking that created them