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Mercury 292ci (1955–1962) specs: 292 ci (4.8L) 8-cylinder, 3.75 x 3.30 in (95.3 x 83.8 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 175 hp, 1955–1962.
The Mercury 292ci (1955–1962) is oversquare — the 3.75" bore exceeds the 3.3" stroke by 13.6% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.3" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,250 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 36.5 ci (598 cc).
2 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 175 hp across 1955–1962.
| Displacement | 292 ci / 4.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.75" |
| Stroke | 3.3" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 7.6–8.8:1 (published figures vary) |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.136 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 175 hp |
| Years | 1955–1962 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.136 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,300 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 36.5 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1962 | 175 hp | — |
2 factory vehicles, 1955–1962. Each year opens that model's engine table.