As long as the bearing surface is in good shape and the clearance is right, I don't think the full-pressure oiling is that much of an advantage. Just be sure the tubes that fill the troughs under the rods are aimed properly so they squirt oil directly into the dippers at higher speed. I'm building an original babbit-rod 235 for a 1950 Bel Air/Powerglide restoration, and I'm considering possibly adapting a small block V-8 oil pump to the engine. It would require a bit of imaginative fabrication, but I think it's doable. I'm getting clearances in the 1 1/2 thousandths range by manipulating rod shims after custom-fitting the rod bearings with Prussian Blue and a scraper. The 216 rods I've seen have a slightly different oil groove in the Babbit material of the bearing, but as long as the journal diameter, length, and wrist pin diameter are right, I don't see a reason the 216 and 235 rods shouldn't be interchanged. A good bearing fit, enough oil pressure, and precise clearance is what keeps a lower end together. Full-pressure oiling is a plus, but it's not essential to long engine life.
Jerry
