216's were virtually the only engines available from 1936 to 53. If they weren't reliable, Chevy wouldn't have produced them for that long. The trick is to keep the rod bearing clearance correct, and make sure the squirters actually get the oil to the rods at speeds above idle. Those engines, and the splash-oiler 235's got us through WW II, under much tougher operating conditions than the average restored stovebolt pickup encounters.
Jerry
