jwhite 28:
Stovebolt is not about men or woman but about Stovebolts, for all intents and purposes your just one of the boys, a stovebolter, somebody who likes Chevy trucks. Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride, There are alot of really good people on the forum with a lot of experience. Like you, I'm just a beginner, but with 18 years experience. By water pan you probably mean "water jacket", best advise I could hope to give you, replace the engine, otherwise it will come back to haunt you somewhere down the line and usually at the worst possible moment.
A 235 can be installed and made to look just like a 216, but the 216 is a good engine, dippers and all. Most people are kinda afraid of them because of a "non pressurized oil lubrication system" The engine ran, non pressurized, for many a years and they worked just fine. The military in WW2 tried to kill these 216, but they generally out lasted them. Get another engine, overhaul it as necessary (preferably a top and bottom end overhaul) and you will have a good reliable engine to work with. Don't be afraid to get on the forum and ask your question, stupid ones or not, and someone will help. I know, I ask a host of stupid questions and there is someone out there who wwas willing to help me.
Have a good time restoring your truck, keep it fun, and forget the nice finger nails you ain't gonna keep them if you plan to do your own work. Keep a picture in your mind of the finished truck and then keep pushing towards that goal. There are set backs that will stop you if you let them, don't let them. There will be problems to work through that seem impossible but with the Lord all thins are possible, I know this to be a fact. Don't be a quitter be a doer and get it done, At every milestone reflect back over what has been done and revel in the moment. When finished, rejoice in your accomplishment, fire it up, praise God, and enjoy the ride.
God bless,
Dave
