Unless you're planning on a complete restoration to original equipment condition, I'd suggest an upgrade to the 54-up 235 engine with a little camouflage to make it look like the 216 to the casual observer. The top-bolt valve cover and the high-mount water pump adapter makes the high pressure engine look original to the casual observer.

It's going to be very expensive to convert the 216 to full-pressure oiling, and you won't have much of an advantage over the splash-oiled engine when it's all done. Millions of splash oilers ran for a lot of years under tougher operating conditions than the average restored stovebolt encounters. A good original-specification buildup, possibly with the rods machined for insert bearings, would be very reliable without going to the effort and shipping expense of the conversion job. The 3.55:1 ring & pinion will help the cruise speed and you can keep the original-looking closed driveline system.
Jerry

Edit: No help on the 3/4 ton gear ratio- - - -there's no highway-cruise gear available for that one. You would need a transmission and rear end change to get more road speed.
Jerry


Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 01/02/2009 4:14 AM.
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