292 vs 350 The age old question

[maschka]

I am having a hell of a time picking between these two engines and any advice/personal experience would be appreciated. I have a 72 ¾ ton 4x4 that is am trying to build up. I want to be able to cruise at 70 with the AC on while empty and hold 60-65 with pulling a 5000ish pound trailer. Either way the truck will have a NV4500 and probably 3.73 gears no lift 31 inch tires and a Howell or AFI fuel injection system. I am looking for 15 mpg. I have a 350 with a fresh rebuild on it and if I were a smart man I would just use that but is the 6 will pull off what I want I’d rather use that. I know I will need a different cross member for the 292 but I’ll burn that bridge when I get there. Thanks for all the help.

[cableguy0]

The 350 is the better choice. There is no replacement for displacement and while the 292 is a good engine there is no point in taking a step back and losing 60 cubic inches especially when you already have a 350.

[truckster]

Given the same build, the 350 is always going to put out more torque. That's really what you need in a truck, since they're pretty heavy and you need torque to get them moving.

Aside from that, the availability and price of parts is exponentially better for the 350 than for the 292. I agree with Cableguy, you'd be taking a step backward with the 292.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

If your set on Fuel injection I would consider a LS swap or a Vortec 350 with the 411 pcm.

You can get either very cheap, and the can be tuned with HP Tuners to remove stuff you don't want or need.

Unless your bought into traditional SBC speed parts.

[whitedog76]

Asking for 15 MPG while towing is a tall order. Expect around 10. Getting 15 MPG while driving to work, should be no problem either one will work fine.

I personally prefer the 292 for the cool factor. There isn't much for performance parts for them though, not to mention going to fuel injection is opening a can of worms with them.

For function, the 350 (or any small block) is the way to go. You can buy a NEW crate motor for the parts list on a 292, not counting the machine work. Plus the aftermarket is flooded with accessories.

[maschka]

Thanks for the input. I kind of figured that the 350 would be the better option but the 292 is just really neat.

[71swb4x4]

I have a 292 in my 67 and like it a lot, but in your situation I would go with the 350. Possible even an LS like suggested above.

[turp mcspray]

I used to have a 69 4x4, with a 292 and 4 spd. It had NO power, and got about 10 mpg. Any dead 350 with get the same mpg, and still have more power. Having had both, I absolutely wouldn't recommend anything less than a 350, in a big heavy truck.

[franken]

Nice choice on the 4500/3.73. I had an 89 Sub 4x4 350/4500/4.10 and it was pretty nice at 70MPH.
It's probably cheaper to build the 350 regardless and 292s weren't known for great mileage. Then again, nor are our trucks that are like bricks in the wind, and heavy.