The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 in the '46 finally running

I finally broke down and called the guy I got the 216 from and he was able to get it going after a few hours of working on it. A little timing reset and switching in a Rochester carb in place of the Carter did the trick. I had suspected the 235 was getting tired, but the difference with this used 216 is impressive! I'm eager to see what a rebuilt 235 will do!

My 49 216 has been running pretty strong lately. I've run it up to 65 to pass and it felt like it had alittle more left in it. That said I didn't hold it at 65 for long and normally don't exceed 50. With the stock OEM 4:11.1 rear gear 40 - 45 is it's happy spot.
It starts right up, cold or hot and runs great. I know 216's get maligned by some but mine is proving top be a solid dependable powerplant.

I don't know how much better a fresh 235 is but I'll know soon. Those that have done the swap highly endorse it.

Dave

My 216 is the same as yours Dave. Fires up immediately, idles well and revs freely. Only issue I have is an issue taking the throttle at times. Probably something in the carb that I did not get just right. It only hiccups if I give it a lot of throttle quickly, so I am living with it for so as it runs so good otherwise. I might try advancing the timing a bit more to see if it clears things up even more.

My 216 even performs fine with the a/c compressor load...something many said would be a problem with the 216. Not so, it is just fine.

I may have crowed a little too soon. I drove the truck to work today. The first few miles it was great. Then it started to backfire through the carburetor. The engine will rev up, but it lacks power. It sounds like a one-lung engine next to the 6. I know it needs a new set of plugs, any other ideas?

If it wasn't done to get it running, new points, condensor, rotor and plugs should be installed. depending upon their condition, replace the dist cap and plug wires too. Basically a good general tuneup.

Timing could cause your symptoms. The points could have closed up or perhaps the dist wasn't tightened up enough and has moved. Wires could be loose in the dist and/or on the coil. So double check timing and all connections.

Besides the tuneup a fuel delivery problem can also cause your symptoms.
Crud getting into the carb can cause the float not to close and flood the engine (in this case you should have seen black smoke). The main jet could be partially clogged as well as any of the internal passages. Make sure the choke is fully open when it's supposed to be.
The Carb may need disassembled and cleaned out/rebuilt. Basic kits run less than $20.

Another check would be to cup your hand over the carb while idleing to see if the idle picks up. If it does you have a vacuum leak, perhaps where the carb bolts to the insulator on the manifold. Make sure the nuts are tight. If the idle doesn't pickup or it stalls the engine it probably isn't a vacuum leak.

I wouldn't suspect anything serious until all the basic easy fixes have been done.
These 216's run great when setup correctly.
Course it could be just a problem w/the plug(s).

Good luck
Dave

Sounds like your carburetor has some dirt in it. You may want to take a look in the gas tank and see what it looks like. You may be fighting a loosing battle if the tank is full of rust and dirt. Its not likely that 2 carbs are going to fail without something causing it(like rust and dirt).

Thanks for the advice. I plan on changing the plugs tomorrow.

A stuck Valve could do this...

Check your Valve Clearances.

Timing being far too advanced, or wrong firing Order, could do it also.

My first guess would be a fowled plug. I can't tell you how many bad AC Delco R45 plugs I've had to replace because they went bad. Some would have had less than 100 miles on them. You wouldn't think a new plug would go bad but they do. Check that first and you might save yourself a lot of unnecessary work.

Thanks for all the advice. I started with the valves since that didn't involve a trip to the parts store. The bolt holding down the rocker shaft at #1 cylinder was loose! I tightened it down, checked the valves and she fired right up, smooth as a baby's bottom and zipped right through the gears. If it does it again, I'll know where to look.

Amazing that something that simple would fix it. I would never have thought about tightening down the rocker shaft.

I really hadn't either, Spotbiltxo. I was trying to adjust the valves when the rocker assembly wiggled around and I took a closer look. Doggonedest thing.