[DShindell]

Can anyone tell me what differences there will be between the 292s pre-74 and post-74? I'm specifically looking at a 79 that I can acquire for next to nothing. Is it mainly just a matter of the emissions equipment? If so, I am thinking about just stripping all of that off, using an earlier manifold and valve cover, etc.

What else do I need to know?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Ray_McAvoy]

Hi Dan,

I'm not an expert on inline sixes, but I do know the 292s were only offered from the factory in trucks (not cars). And trucks had different emissions requirements based on GVWs. Trucks over a certain GVW were considered "heavy duty" and didn't require all the extra emissions equipment that was added to the "light duty" engines in the later 70's.

The GVW cutoff point changed over the years, but I don't think the 292's were available in trucks that had to meet the "light duty" emissions requirements. So the 79 292 that you're looking at likely came from a 3/4 ton or heavier truck. As a result, it probably won't have any more emissions equipment than an older 292.

I know the 250 inline sixes were changed over to an integral head/intake assembly starting in 1975. But I don't think that was the case with the 292.