In trying to resurrect the 216 out of my 53 I have found that they are really trash. Even if they clean up, the cylinders are in really good shape, the guts are useable, and neither the block or head has any cracks. The babbit liner/bearings are not worth relining if you can find someone to do it. Babbitt relining is almost a lost art. And the rods for replacement with bearing liners are impossible to find. All the rest of the engine bearings are available. Valves are easy to find, it just comes down to the piston rods. That is all I need to complete the reconstruction.
So, I have a rebuildable 216 with head that is the original out of my 53 and is not worth it. So much for trying to keep it original.
I am really quite disappointed.
Thanks for listening. I feel a little better.
