Grigg has some possibilities. One major problem with the 216 was the rod bearings. Poured babbit bearings have wear problems. This can be from grit in the oil, prolonged operation at high RPM, lugging the engine (low RPM under load). Those are the big ones. Another is operation without enough oil (2 or so quarts low).
One common fix was to replace the engine with a 235, which has insert bearings, which have a steel shell with a layer of babbit inside. Another solution, if you want to replace with a 216, is to have the rod ends machined to accept the insert bearings.
I've seen worse. Threw a rod in a GMC 478 V6. Picked up a piece of the block larger than my size XL hand.
Last edited by Fred T; 05/29/2016 8:27 AM.
