The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 Engine Question - Original Spare

I have a question that I thought some of you may be able to assist ... If you recall, I purchased a 53 3600 back in Jan 2013 ... after about 6 mo. I heard a low end knocking ... so I found and purchased two spare 216's locally (one a 47 and one a 52) ... The 52 looked great but smoked heavily after bench test ... the 47 ran smooth - no smoke .. so we fixed it up to swap out the original engine when it was time ... Well, it took 6 more months of weekend driving before it started knocking REAL loud (TOUGH engine) so we knew it was time to replace or rebuild .. Not wanting to spend money on rebuild, we had the 47 put in a few weeks ago ... and it is running great !

My question, we now have two spare engines ... the original with probably bad wrist pin or rod .. needing a rebuild ... and one that looks great and looks like it has been rebuilt but smokes heavily (probably needs rings) ... anyway, We want to keep one for a spare ... and I am thinking the one needing rings might be the one to keep and sell the original one ..however, got to thinking, when and IF I sell the truck down the road, will it be an issue if it doesn't have the original engine? Should I keep it to sell along with the truck or does it matter? Also, don't know how to check if it actually was the original engine ... I looked up the casting and it does show 52-53 ... so I am thinking it was .. but how do you check it against the truck frame to know?

Also, what would be the value of a 216 with a rod or wrist pin issue? I know some people repair them so it might be somewhat valued to them?

Thanks for any input to this lady Stovebolter..

Depends on whether or not they used the engine number as an ID (vin) on the title to the truck in the state it is registered in. Some states you may have to prove you did an angine swap and change the numbers on the title.

Need to talk with the local DMV if there's any doubt.

Others will chime in that can tell you where to look for the numbers. One place will be a flat machined surface right beside the distributor. There may also be some numbers cast in place on the block around the starter area.

First you for sure want to keep the one that came in your truck, I messed up and tossed the one that came with my 53, that had engine number on the registration I found later. Also, parts for 216s are getting hard to find, I'd keep them both.
Best of luck

They also stamped the engine number on the gasket surface for the side cover. You should take a look at your title and see what # it has to identify your truck. If it is titled by the engine # you should keep it at least until you contact the DMV with instructions how to change the # on the title.

A knock that gets progressively louder with time and mileage is probably a loose rod bearing. It would have been very simple to fix IF you had dealt with the problem early on. Now, you probably have a damaged crankshaft. I'd suggest rebuilding the knocking engine, even if it requires replacing the crankshaft, and having the rods machined for insert bearings while you've got it torn down. The only good reason to scrap the original engine would be if it's been bored WAY oversize, like .080" or more.
Jerry

Thanks so much for all of the good input ... I will do some more checking on the numbers as you suggested and see what DMV says about Title etc .. and probably just as easy to keep both engines .... as many have mentioned that parts are getting harder to find.

I really appreciate all of your input ...