The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 Motor

Truely how bad are the 216 motors? I have one in a 1950 Suburban and I'm trying to decide if it is worth rebuilding or going with a small block 350.... Any info will help.......

Are those the only two options?

If you like the original look, a later 235 with pressure oil would be easier than a 350 and look more like it grew there.

The later sixes can be swapped in with less work than doing a 350 too. Steering column issues go away with the sixes.

How are you going to use the truck? What kind of transmission do you want to use.

If you aren't committed to keeping an original driveline you have many options, and at that point the first decision is how you want to use the truck once you've done all that work.

[Truely how bad are the 216 motors?]

Bad question to ask someone who uses the original 216 as a daily driver

Nothing wrong with them at all ,, if driven within their normal operating capabilities .

I have been running my old truck , and the '39 before it since 1974.

Sure they leak oil , and are not over endowered with power .
But that and other quirks is part of the character of old trucks.

If you want a rig to cruise the freeway at 70mph , then you need a newer truck , or a hotrod .

Sort out what you expect to do with the truck , then decide what will work.

I had a hot 327 in a 53 burb, and it was a lot of fun. Had about 325 horses, 373 posi, and a close ratio 3 speed. I could fly down the street with both back tires smokin, the nose in the air, and the q-jet howling like a banshee. When people see something that big squat down and start makin' all that racket, trust me, they perk right up and pay attention!

However, if I had it to do over I would use a warmed up 261 and keep the vintage look.

The 216 is a good motor, but it wasn't made for hotrodding. If you want to pump up an inline six, a later full pressure model is a better choice. If you look at the 216, you see a motor that looks very similar to the later 235. It evolved from the old design. Although Chev was behind the times with the oiling system, they designed improvements that gave it a good reputation and powered many trucks.

Dusty, I agree!!! there is nothing bad about the 216 motor, they are a good unit.

Is the inline 235 the largest inline 6 you can install without major issues?

261 is no harder to install than a 235. A few here have done it. Do a search for 261 on this forum. Lots of good info.

Wally just got done installing a 261.

That is like going to a British bike website and asking if they are any good. 4 out of 5 stovebolters still use their stovebolts. The 5th, well, black sheep I guess.
Try to find a 261.
Once you go V8 you better upgrade the whole thing, brakes everthing. Or buy a newer truck that already has those things. Make sure your 216 is no good first as they run forever.

89cutlass, I replaced a 216 in a 40' half ton with a 261. I put a small Holley 4bb on it(for gas mileage) and ran into a minor carb to gas peddle linkage problem. Patrick's has what I needed to solve the fan clearance problem. Those were only problems I had. I kept the truck stock in that I can put the old 216 back in with a wrench. The 261 has modern oiling and runs like a raped ape. You might consider one. Patricks and Cliffords and my machinist and this site helped me tonnes as I'm NO expert.