I can affirm that your 216 will be just fine. I have an original 1940 3/4 ton special equipped with a 216 (it even has a crack in the block that I've patched up with putty). Recently, I took it on a 175 mile trip non-stop with out any problems. I was driving through the Pennsylvania coal region so there was plenty of mountains I crossed over so it was pulling up hill all day. I went about 45 mph and took my good old time and it got about 20 mpg too! Honestly, me and my 96 year old grandfather needed a break first but anyway, just keep an eye on your fluid and temps and you'll be fine. Sometimes on long trips you'll have a bit of fluid bubble out of the radiator cap don't be alarmed just give it a break and top off the fluids when your ready. Also, the truck has 95,xxx original miles on the original engine...which from what I understand is very high for a 216.
Last edited by heavy40chevy; 07/22/2013 11:20 PM.
