Read the original Chevy 6 cylinder hop up book written by Bill Fisher which was written before the full pressure oiler 235 was introduced.Those guys doubled the HP still using the original oiling system and connecting rods.Those old 216's were raced and reved to near 5000 rpm.they set records at dry lakes and circle track racing against the arch rival **** V-8 flatroach.Some racers used niromethane fuel blend to up the HP to near 230 hp.The 216 powered a jillion overloaded trucks up steep hills and through thick mud.They were not fragile, and an equal in durability to any similar engine in its day.I certainly would use a newer 235/261 to take advantage of its better power but the 216 is still a good vintage engine, if you have your heart set on using one.
