292 lacking power..?
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Joined: Oct 2014
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292 lacking power..?
Hey guys I've had my truck for awhile now and the motor really does run great, I use this truck for my daily driver.
I'm posting because I always read about how much torque a 292 is supposed to have but mine seems to just be lacking in power. My carb runs a little rich (I think my jets are to large) but I don't know how much that can affect things.
I'm running 3.89 gears in the rear with a 3 on the tree, how powerful should my truck feel? Am I just expecting to much? I can't even chirp the tires on take off. Also someone welded a 1/4in steel plate in the back at one time as a replacement bed floor, maybe that's part of my issue. Any suggestions and comments are appreciated!
EDIT: forgot to mention that I'm running headers, electronic ignition with flamethrower coil, the plugs only have 2 thousand miles on them or so and a 2bbl carb
I also don't have a tach so I don't know if I'm even really pushing it, sounds pretty loud through the dual exhaust though.
I'm posting because I always read about how much torque a 292 is supposed to have but mine seems to just be lacking in power. My carb runs a little rich (I think my jets are to large) but I don't know how much that can affect things.
I'm running 3.89 gears in the rear with a 3 on the tree, how powerful should my truck feel? Am I just expecting to much? I can't even chirp the tires on take off. Also someone welded a 1/4in steel plate in the back at one time as a replacement bed floor, maybe that's part of my issue. Any suggestions and comments are appreciated!
EDIT: forgot to mention that I'm running headers, electronic ignition with flamethrower coil, the plugs only have 2 thousand miles on them or so and a 2bbl carb
I also don't have a tach so I don't know if I'm even really pushing it, sounds pretty loud through the dual exhaust though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 58
I can't speak specifically about a '64 as I've never experienced one.
Y blocks do generally have very nice low end. By 1964 though, the 292 was seriously de-tuned. That is about as bad as it gets for a 292.
That said, the engine is now 52 years old. Is it untouched, original? Has it been rebuilt? How many miles on it? What kind of numbers do you get if you do a compression test? Is it in proper tune? You say you think it is rich, so this is definitely in question. Even if the engine is in generally good condition, how is the distributor? If it is original, I guarantee it needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
Go through it and make sure everything is right and if it is, then that very well may be all you can expect from that particular version of the 292.
Don't let that put you off of 292s. To put it in perspective, we can use a more popular engine, the 302. What you have in terms of power would be an analog to a smog era 302. Those are dogs. However, the late 60s versions and the late 80s versions are quite good. That is more like the mid to late 50s 292. You can make it perform very well and adding headers was a great step toward that end.
Y blocks do generally have very nice low end. By 1964 though, the 292 was seriously de-tuned. That is about as bad as it gets for a 292.
That said, the engine is now 52 years old. Is it untouched, original? Has it been rebuilt? How many miles on it? What kind of numbers do you get if you do a compression test? Is it in proper tune? You say you think it is rich, so this is definitely in question. Even if the engine is in generally good condition, how is the distributor? If it is original, I guarantee it needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
Go through it and make sure everything is right and if it is, then that very well may be all you can expect from that particular version of the 292.
Don't let that put you off of 292s. To put it in perspective, we can use a more popular engine, the 302. What you have in terms of power would be an analog to a smog era 302. Those are dogs. However, the late 60s versions and the late 80s versions are quite good. That is more like the mid to late 50s 292. You can make it perform very well and adding headers was a great step toward that end.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
Chirp, Chirp. What does this mean? Do you really want the tires to chirp? if so Why?
I have a 292 in my 64 I get about 13 mpg and love it. I can travel all day long at about 2000 rpm's with a 3.00 rear. I don't need to show off to anyone. I make it to car shows and I make it to friends who need help, isn't that enough?
I have a 292 in my 64 I get about 13 mpg and love it. I can travel all day long at about 2000 rpm's with a 3.00 rear. I don't need to show off to anyone. I make it to car shows and I make it to friends who need help, isn't that enough?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Spend time making sure everything is setup and tuned according to Hoyle. Mine ran like hell for years, because I wasn't up to speed on how to dial everything in. In particular the engine ignitionntiming and distributor mechanical advance will make all the difference.
Y blocks by '64 are low compression, and like lots of advance over the stock settings. Light springs in the centrifugal advance, and about 36 or 38 degrees total mechanical timing "all in" by about 3000 RPM. This will make it a lot snappier all around, and you can smoke tires etc.
http://www.bob2000.com/dist.htm
http://www.gofastforless.com/ignition/advance.htm
Y blocks by '64 are low compression, and like lots of advance over the stock settings. Light springs in the centrifugal advance, and about 36 or 38 degrees total mechanical timing "all in" by about 3000 RPM. This will make it a lot snappier all around, and you can smoke tires etc.
http://www.bob2000.com/dist.htm
http://www.gofastforless.com/ignition/advance.htm
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