The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 motor and 235 motor question

If I had a 216 engine with babbitt bearings and were in the process of a overhaul of that motor and did not want to use babbitt,, is it possible to put metal inserts in place of babbitt in that 216 engine ? if so ,,would you need shims ? This is just something I have often thought about ,, just curious .

I have converted my 1951 216 to inserts. The question of shims comes up with the machinist that converts the rods.

thx Bolter,, beings you have a 51 216 engine ,,question ..do you adjust the valves tappets often.. I want to try and adjust mine on my 235 ..55 Chevy engine on my 39 ,,They seem loud ,,but maybe that's normal as it has been years since I heard how loud they really were and be normal on my old 6-S i have owned

All I remember seeing done back in my day is a guy with a wrench doing it while the engine is running,, wrench going up and down at the speed of the rev of the engine ..
You have any steps for me to take to adjust my valves on my car?

Idaho39,
I believe there is a tech tip on the site here that describes how to adjust the valves. The procedure is different for solid lifters as apposed to hydraulics. I have reverted to adjusting my solid lifters while it is running and the results to me are superior to the static method.

truckernix Have used every method over the years it's just a turkey shoot,whatever works for you !

Truckernix You wouldn't use shims with precision insert bearings,they have a crush fit .

idaho 39 They used to make a blanket that went over the rockers to help quiet them,it would just be soaked with oil !

truckernix Offline
'Bolter
Idaho39,
I believe there is a tech tip on the site here that describes how to adjust the valves. The procedure is different for solid lifters as apposed to hydraulics. I have reverted to adjusting my solid lifters while it is running and the results to me are superior to the static method.

I will look that up thx

truckernix I will look up a u-tube for a video showing how to set the rockers thx I done mine years ago on my other old 39 ,but not sure now I am steady enuf to set them now..

fixite 7 ,,that's right ,i made one from a rug one time for my 6 banger 56 Chevy pickup .. iwill keep that in mind

What do you all use for lubricant for the rockers , anything or nothing ?

Do you use a feeler gauge while the engine is running with those solid lifters?
How many hands do you have? I tried it once, but the valve stems destroyed my feeler gauges. (Maybe my feeler gauges were from the dime store.)
I do adjust valves on my '53 235 hydraulic lifter engine while it is running and it works like a champ, but of course, you don't need a feeler gauge for that.

Bore the 216 Babbit rods for a Perkins 152 3 cylinder Diesel bearing, and grind the crankshaft to fit the bearing. Those bearings cost about $5.00 apiece on Ebay.
Jerry

Idaho 39 Just oilem ,any lube almost !!

52 Carl If the valve stems are worn into the rocker arm it will really rough-up your feeler gauges the feeler gauge will bridge the channel and give you a false reading too. Older valve refacers had tools to dress those,pretty big job !