* Internal components: The crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, and camshaft all have limitations. A stock, rebuilt, or modified engine will have vastly different RPM capabilities.
* Maintenance: Proper maintenance, including regular lubrication and valve adjustments, is critical for high RPM operation.
* Intended use: An engine intended for street use will have a different RPM limit than one built for racing.
Therefore, there's no single definitive answer. However, a general guideline for a *stock* 292 Chevy would be to avoid exceeding 4500-5000 RPM consistently. Going much beyond that regularly risks significant damage.
A well-built, modified 292, however, could potentially handle considerably higher RPMs, perhaps into the 6000-7000 range, but this would require extensive modifications and careful balancing/tuning. Even then, exceeding the carefully determined safe limit for *that specific engine build* would be risky.
