The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Different engine in a big bolt

With a possible stuck engine in my 1950 6400. Will another engine fit and marry up without to much modifications. I'm also not hearing good things about the Babbitt bearing straight 6. If I have to swap out the original engine the (all original)truck is out the window. I mite as well go with a bigger engine. Has anybody done this or heard of any one doing it.

Welcome,Iceman4! I used to be called "Iceman",when I hauled ice for about 6 years. My truck was "Unit #4"! 1978 I.H.C. 2200 DT466/10-speed "Ranger"/tandem 4:11's.I'm not kidding!! Every kind of engine swap on the planet has been done on the A.D. trucks. The earliest swaps were the full (oil) pressure 235/261's. some opted for the 270/302 G.M.C.'s,but the earlier swaps usually ended up with hacking into the radiator support. Now short water pumps eliminate that problem. Then you have the option(s) of small block/big block,which may require relocating the steering box. Motor mounts and cross member kits are available from several vendors. Some guys have transplanted Diesels into their trucks as well. Most "fab" work,(on the Diesels) is done by the owner,since having it done gets way expensive. your best bet,(I.M.H.O.),would be to find a full-pressure 235,or better yet,a 261. You may need to replace your water pump,and motor mount(s),but that's easy,compared to swapping a V-8,or Diesel. Help on the 235/261 swaps are found in "our" "Tech Tips" Good Luck,and have FUN!!

Hello willy I didn't get the nickname from flying fighter jets that's for sure. I do commercial Refrigeration and work on Ice machines. When I would go look at a ice machine they would say the iceman is here and I guess it stuck. Thanks a lot for all the info. Nice looking truck also

Thanks,Iceman4! Just about every stop I'd make,I'd hear "The Ice-Man Cometh"! Yeah,it stuck with me,too. I haven't delivered ice,since 1994,but I'm still called "Ice-Man,by a dozen friends,or so! If you plan on going with the 454,you may need to add some (front) springs,or beef-up the suspension,due to the extra weight. I'm sure someone will chime in on this topic! Good luck,and,most of all, Be SAFE,and have FUN!! I lived in Kokomo,(50 miles north of Indianapolis),back in '86/87. I applied at Stearns,(North American Van lines),and got hired on the spot,since I worked for the same "bed-bugging" outfit,(in Iowa),as the guy who interviewed me! Hauled mostly out of Grissom A.F.B.,talking about "Fighter Jets"! Small world!!

Iceman, I see that you are in Indiana. If you are close to Indy I would welcome you to come by my shop and take a ride in my 46 2-ton that has one of those babbit pounding engines still in it. I rebuilt it last winter and the bearings were in great shape so I left them. Another option is to switch to a later crank and rods. Requires a little machining to the block on the thrust washer surface and keeps everything on the outside looking original.

If your engine is stuck it will more than likely be the rings and your bearings may be in good shape. I do have a guy that was going to machine my block for me, but the bearings were just in too good of shape. I'll pass the info along if you need.

Welcome to the bolt,

If your 216 is 'stuck' maybe pull the Head and have a peek in to the Cylinders.

It's pretty easy pulling the Head on those, and probably, it would not hurt to get your Head re-built while you are at it anyway.

If you had got some Water/Rust in the Bores, and things are stuck at the Rings, unless it is really super 'bad' you should be able to get things freed up and cleaned and be alright again.

I went though this myself recently, and I would be glad to share notes.

Thanks guys for all the helpful info. It is greatly appreciated. I am in the early stages as I just got her home. I'm going to let the pb blaster set for a while longer b4 I make final judgement on the engine. I kinda wanted to keep the girl all origen. But I also am now thinking maybe a small block chevy may be nice. Not sure what kind of mods that would involve. Any ideas?? Would I gain anymore top speed with the 2 speed axle? Any helpful note or ideas are welcome. thanks a whole bunch as I am new to this older restoration

The 2 speed rear has a low gear to get a load moving and a higher gear once you are rolling.I used to drive a C60 rollback tow truck with a 350 small block and a two speed usually drove it in high unless I had one one the bed and one on the wheel lift,or pulling a long grade you would sometimes split the top 2 to keep the rpm's up.They are nice when they work well but expensive to repair if abused.Onetunn

There is usually more to it than just soaking via PB or whatever in through the Sparkplug ports.

Rust can be some ways up the Cylinder walls above the Piston's positions, and below them also, so merely getting it fred up and then starting it, it not so good, compared to cleaning all of that out, first...and, it is best to look into this via pulling the Head...and or pulling the Pan as well.

If you just got this Truck, you should do both of these anyway, no matter, and clean the Pan really well and correct it's usual 'domed' bolt holes and so on, and install with new Gaskets.

Removing and cleaning and inspecting the Manifolds is good to do also, check the warm up Baffle and see if it is frozen in some position, check how the Manifold ports align to the Head Ports...install new Gaskets, etc...

With rare exception, these are all things one should do anyway, in order to have the Engine in good shape.


Too, how did the Water get in there? Is there a bad Head Gasket? You will have to pull the Head anyway to replace that, and, if you have not replaced it before, you would do well to replace it now anyway.

I would say "Keep your 216' and enjoy it for what it is...no Small black will ever be as interesting or charming.

Plus, from what I gather, it is a huge amount of trouble and weird modifications and time and expense to fit a Small Block into these old Trucks.

I wouldn't just start tearing things apart. Take some time and diagnose things. Many times you can get it going without major tear down. There are times when it the motor will be junk. If your interested in spending some time trying to save it there are people here with lots of knowledge to walk you through it.
Good luck.

Might want to check the engine casting numbers on the passenger side of the block. You may very well have a 235 instead of a 216. 235ci engines were standard in all 6000 series(6100, 6400, & 6500)trucks. Coupled to the fact your truck has a 2 spd rear axle has me leaning towards a 235. I'm curious as to what you do have. Since your truck is a "Rare" special order 15000lb. gvw truck.

I look the other day and the flat angle spot behind the dist. Has no numbers on it. Got busy after that and havent had time to look will get back at it this weekend and let you know.

Might want to check for stuck valves, other wise bent pushrods can happen. If the head is pulled, a lot can be figured out. If the solvent method does not free the rings, etc., Coke or molasses in each cyl. Does the job, takes some time, though. If there is any water in there now, get it out w/ air and or alcohol. Also make sure pan has no water in it like has been said above.

If its a new truck for you, take the time to sort out what you have. It might be good, or easily fixable. But it probably wont be fast.
Dont rush into an engine change, thats a lot of work.
If you need a new engine, my vote is for a six cylinder. Keeps the charm intact.
Good luck!