Improper maintenance is a likely cause of this catastrophe. The rod bearings are serviceable. The standard maintenance procedure is to drop the pan, remove the rod caps, pull one shim at a time from each until the slack is taken up, yet not dragging.
Another possible cause would be intentional abuse to a worn out 216 in order to convince the wife to allow the purchase of that sweet 235 you have been dreaming about...
Time to come clean, Stove. The truth will set you free.
Carl
