Thanks for the information. I have a 216 from a car that I was going to use in my 53 pickup. I need to drill the holes and was working on ideas to do it.
Like you wodniw5, I was thinking of dropping the engine onto the frame of the 53 and marking where the holes needed to be.
Do I have to use carriage bolts or can the holes be round and I use hardened bolts?
I have a full pressure 235 in the shop being rebuilt. It will have the correct front plate so this 216 is a 'driver' engine.
Thanks for letting me get in on this.
Dennis
Wrench access is limited near the balancer so square holes will hold the bolts in place when tightening but either can be done. Mounting the engine in the frame only to locate the holes sounds like way too much work. I can confirm the template linked above will locate the holes properly provided the holes are laid out to equally straddle the crankshaft centerline. Also from the autopsies I have performed the oil pan nearly always has some degree of sludge in it so I would remove the pan any time a used engine is to be flipped upside down.
Good luck.
