Welcome jwhite. I had to laugh cuz it's usually the guys in trouble with their wives. I was ok until I got the backhoe. That one was almost a dealbreaker...
Like John said, why mess with that broken 216? I'm no expert on the 6 cylinders but from what I gather by reading stuff here, most guys replace those motors with a 235. It's my understanding that bearing and oiling problems make the 216 a relic not worth messing with unless you are looking to restore to absolute original, "numbers matching" condition. Welding cast iron, while not impossible, is difficult. Cast iron has unique metalurgic properties that make welding it very tricky. I think you could find a rebuildable 235 for the cost. I wouldn't even do it if someone offered for free cuz, 1)It's still a 216. 2)What if the repair failed? And what if it failed far from home?...at night...in a snowstorm!
