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I am restoring my 1955 F-250 and just pulled my engine for a rebuild. Originally this truck had a 239 but sometime in its life a 292 long block was swapped in. I believe it was a long block because the engine still has the original 239 casting numbers on the intake, water pump, bell housing etc. and only has 292 casting numbers on the block and heads.
Unfortunately this truck was sitting out in the weather for some time and a bunch of water made its way into the engine and really rusted things up... see the attached pictures. Talking with my engine builder, it might be more cost effective to try and source a new engine or a long block. What do you all think is the best route to sourcing a new engine? I would like to stick with the 292 displacement but would be willing to do a 272 as well. I have seen that S&J engines out of Washington State offers complete long blocks, does anyone has experience with them? Does anyone happen to have a rebuilt or good condition 292 just lying around that I could buy? I am located in Southeast Michigan for reference.
I've seen worse looking engines get rebuilt. If you really want to keep that engine, it may be worth it to tear it down and clean it so it can get a proper assessment of what it will need. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Scott in AZ.
I think the budget and how important the era correct engine is to you. The most budget friendly is a roller 302 out of a crown Vic like vehicle. Those are still plentiful and cheap if you get it from a wrecking yard.
It is cool though to have the old 292 or 272. On the Chevy side I found very limited parts availability for a 265 I was working on. Are the 292 rotating assemblies and other parts readily available?
Based on some more looking and your input, I am going to try to pursue a rebuild of my engine. It is only 20 thousands over standard bore and seems to have some life left in it. Thanks!
A few years ago I customer brought in a 272 block for an engine that he was rebuilding. Piston availability was not good on that engine so I sonic tested the block and it could very easily make the bore sizes for the 292 engine. I really think that 272, 292 and 312 blocks were the same casting(312 did have different main caps), just machined differently. So if you happen to find a 272 as a builder core it could work just fine. I'd make sure that the heads are good before you do anything.
