I had my 216 rebuilt including staying with the original babbit bearings. I absolutely love it, but then I like things closer to stock than most. My brother in law swapped out his 216 and put in a 235. His engine is "as is" that is he didn't get it rebuilt. Took him some work to get the water pump clearances right etc. He chided me for staying with the 216 until he found himself working hard to keep up with me on our way to car shows. The 235 is a more powerful engine, especially the high compression ones used later, but to maximize you'll need to rebuild it, too. So seems the choice is rebuild the 216 or replace it AND rebuild the new 235.
