The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 clean-up and re-gasket

Hey guys, after sitting silent for about 45 years, I awoke my '47 216 Fri. night. Runs like a top, nice and smooooooth, valve train all functioning, idles nice without missing a beat. Before turning it over the first time I pulled the pan and cleaned it out, cleaned the oil pump screen, I put it all back together and filled it with 5W30,(my reasoning for 5W30 was put a thin oil in it to help flush everything out, kind of like taking blood thinners for blocked blood vessels) Now I'm in the process of tearing down the motor to clean and re-gasket it. It has low miles, and runs nice so I really don't want to mess w/rings, cam, valves, etc. This is my first real indepth 216 project. I've only dealt with insert bearing, pressurized oil system motors. Any pointers, things to look for, oil passages to clean? I worked in the machine shop of my local parts store for about 2 years, and have been working on motors since I was a kid, just never one of these.

Keith

Im not trying to tell ya what to do but if your gonna tear it down id suggest replacing all gaskets. then check the clearance on those bearings and make sure you dont need to remove a shim or two. but its my opinion that when you have a engine that far you at least go ahead and throw in some fresh rings and a little hone on them cyl walls. its very cheap and why not. after sitting those rings can stick and also lose tension. i woudnt go crazy but i would for sure ring it. thanks

full gasket set is one of the main reasons I'm digging into it. A babbit bearing motor can be plasti-gaged same as an insert bearing motor I'm assuming? What kind of clearences are we talkin' here?

Yes you can plastigauge the bearings & peal off shims to adjust them. I believe the specs are 1-2 thousands on the rods. I,d like to see a photo of the D-X truck. I had a D-X station back in the 50,s.

Thanks Wrenchbender, check out my truck on the Feb. submissions page, I submitted then and now photos. Are there any other specifics as far as cleaning the the motor, like oil passages in the block or is all oiling done by way of rod dippers and copper lines?

Here's something that came as a bit of a surprise to me today. While browsing around the tech-tips section, I checked out John's VIN/engine # section, and realized not only do I have a '48 instead of a '47, but I also have a 2ton, which makes my 216, a 235 splash oiler! :rolleyes: None the less, it runs nicely and is in darn good shape. Oh well. Now, lets apply my previous ?'s to this new discovery. Is a 235 splash oiler, basically a 216 + 19c.i.?

Pre 54 235's are splash oilers as well. Are you going to change your name?
Ralph

Thought about it, but......no. Everyone will just have to wonder why there's a 47 in my name, and a '48 Loadmaster listed at the bottom. Is the correct color for this motor still gray? Any decals on the valve cover or anything like that?