How durable is a 292
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
How durable is a 292
Hey guys I was thinking lately about my motor and was curious at exactly how much it could take. It's just a plain stock 292. Exactly how much can this motor take before something breaks? I know every motor is different but what are the major weak points and some strong points?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I'd keep it under 4000 rpms and it should be OK. I am not a must be original truck owner. If I was going to keep my truck for a long while I would be looking at a very late model Ecoboost type setup. But that's my 2.
John
John
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 138
From: tucson
They can be very durable. When I was just out of high school I had a'61 unibody with a 292. It started running poorly which turned out to be a worn out timing chain. I replaced the gears and chain. Threw in some new rings, ( it had been rebuilt once already) and drove it for a couple of more years. I like them and wish my '64 which now has a 390 in it still had a 292.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
They had a reputation in their time as good motors and hard to kill. They weren't really known for high output and by 64 (their last year) they had been defanged by low compression and other restrictions. This has some advantages, they can handle substandard fuels without knock or ping. Keep the valves adjusted correctly, they have to be set once in a while at least or they will likely drop a pushrod.
Before sludge-fighting detergent motor oils came along the dogleg lubrication routing in the heads caused some oiling issues in the upper drivetrain. So long as clean modern quality oil is installed today, it's not really a cause for concern. Used mine as a daily for a couple years and it started as cold as -20F, drove it out West several times etc, never let me down. Had it 20 years now and runs better than ever. Truck doesn't look any better than it ever did but it's almost a new one mechanically.
Before sludge-fighting detergent motor oils came along the dogleg lubrication routing in the heads caused some oiling issues in the upper drivetrain. So long as clean modern quality oil is installed today, it's not really a cause for concern. Used mine as a daily for a couple years and it started as cold as -20F, drove it out West several times etc, never let me down. Had it 20 years now and runs better than ever. Truck doesn't look any better than it ever did but it's almost a new one mechanically.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 3
My old 63 250 ran poorly when I got it. The Compression test was disheartening. I pulled the heads and found I had eight, that's right, eight burned valves. They looked like four leaf clovers worn way up into the heads. It ran and drove that way.
I put on some good 59 Merc 312 heads I had, a new timing chain, NOS 57 Ford car tube headers, a new Holley 2bbl and it was good to go. It ran like a million dollars after that.
Sometimes fresh heads will cause problems on a old engine, not this one.
IMHO one of the toughest V8s ever made.
I put on some good 59 Merc 312 heads I had, a new timing chain, NOS 57 Ford car tube headers, a new Holley 2bbl and it was good to go. It ran like a million dollars after that.
Sometimes fresh heads will cause problems on a old engine, not this one.
IMHO one of the toughest V8s ever made.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
They are very durable. They are being built with over 500hp now, naturally aspirated, and the blocks have not yet become an issue. Two of those were in Engine masters this past year. There have even been a couple super charged and turbo charged in excess of 700hp, one approaching 1000hp (721hp at the wheels).
For average street use, they are more than adequate for the job.
A weak point is cost, but the average person cannot swap to a different motor for less than it will take to build a nice Y.
A strong point is that it is just all around a great motor and responds well to modifications just like any of the popular motors.
For average street use, they are more than adequate for the job.
A weak point is cost, but the average person cannot swap to a different motor for less than it will take to build a nice Y.
A strong point is that it is just all around a great motor and responds well to modifications just like any of the popular motors.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 216
Likes: 1
Here's what I think about them. I posted this in the '57-'60 section.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-project.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-project.html
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
antirice
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jan 24, 2011 09:38 PM
masterbeavis
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
13
Nov 28, 2008 07:48 PM
bshackelford711
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
8
Mar 31, 2005 01:21 PM
GLASSPACK
Y-Block V8 (239, 272, 292, 312, 317, 341, 368)
4
Jul 3, 2004 08:09 AM