[1957Dodge]

I picked up a Chevy 292, supposedly from a C60 truck. The block casting number (3921970) and head casting number (3927763). The block casting number indicate that the the engine was manufactured between 1963-1976. The head casting number indicates a manufacturing date between 1967-1972. The crank has 3 dowel pins and it came with a generator, I am guessing that it is most likely from mid '60's.

The block is Chevy orange. The head is a blue/silver.

Ideas why? Replacement head?

When did Chevy use blue/silver for their engines?

When did Chevy convert from generators to alternators?

[mschiffel@comcast.ne]

I think that GM used alternators from 1963 on...a quick visual confirmation of a 292 block are the taller side covers when comparing them to a 250, 230, 215, and 194 blocks.

[1957Dodge]

Yes, it is a 292. 6" side covers.

[jalopy45]

The head is a 65-70 230/250 head with 60cc combustion chambers.

[1957Dodge]

Interesting, thank you for the information, Jalopy.

Is there anything I should be concerned with having this head on the 292?

Assuming that the short block is stock, what kind of compression ratio would I be having? I am purely guessing that the original head was probably somewhere in the 76cc range.

[jalopy45]

Go over to the Inliners forum Inliners International devoted to all Inline powered vehicles and do some searches, the head may bump it up half a point but because of valve shrouding it's not a big performance swap but will work great for everyday driving.

[dwwl]

I'm not sure what the differences are in the heads, but years ago i used the original head off of my 1964 nova 194 motor on a 250 motor and it upped the compression. I know some 283 and 307 v8 parts interchange. You'll have to do some research on what parts, because that was twenty years ago that i did that. I used a v8 bell housing and clutch and 4speed from a vega. with the 6's good low tq and low gear from the low gear of the vega tranny, It realy pulled out of the hole in a hurry.