When I ponder that issue, I look at how long the original engines lasted, what was done after this era as technology evolved and then I try to tastefully adapt my machine to the best technology that still honors the era. It only makes sense to me! lol.
Does ANYONE think its a great idea to have road dust and misc air just being sucked into open valve cover slits? Then once all the sand, grime etc, gets in, just let pressure push it out of the draft tube? Then, how about lets put a bypass filter on that just takes a sampling of the oil its filtering? It's not ideal, but I feel its more than that. I rebuilt a 54 235 (new style) and it was the last year for slits in the valve cover. I have seen them welded shut and a vented (filtered) oil cap used. That's a good idea.
I think if you look into longevity statistics, this will prove out.. that the 216 didn't last as long as the new style 235 that in most cases replaced it. It costs less than $20 for the parts to replace your road draft tube with a PCV system. The 216 was a great engine, I have several myself, but to make them last longer, run cleaner, some things are really easy to do. That's my 2 cents. I am positive there will be others opinions coming.
