I have a 216 in my 1939 Chevy JD stake truck. It originally had 411 rear end gears. I had 353 ring and pinion gears made for it. Top speed with the 411 gears was 40-50 mph with the engine screaming. With the new gears it'll cruise 50-60 mph. The 216 was used from the 30's to the 50's. They were used in thousands of vehicles. They did the job back then and are still capable of doing it today. Know and respect its limitations. I use flashing red magnetic lights on the back when I drive it on the expressways. By using expressways it gives other drivers a lane to pass you. I've had semi-truck drivers and big motor home rigs drop in behind me and keep people off my rear end. As long as this 216 is still willing to motivate on down the road, it'll be the heartbeat of my truck.
Rick G.
