The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop rebuild (economical way?)

I have a 216 in my '52 half ton, I am not able to rebuild the engine myself so will have to bring it to a shop.
This is going to be an expensive job so I'm hoping you guys can help me with determining just how much of a rebuild it needs.
Here's the story, it runs very well and starts up nicely everytime, however, it smokes so bad I cant take it anywhere that it would have to idle in traffic. I have done a compression test and found 5 cylinders have approxiamately the same compression and 1 without any. I did a leak down test and found the compression went up a little on the bad cylinder which I'm told is an indication that the ring is bad on that cylinder.
Also, I have oil leaks from a few spots underneath, but nothing so bad that adding a little oil once per season doesnt handle.

So, I'm looking at gaskets and the ring on cylinder #5.
When I go to a shop to talk to them about it where do I start in terms of what I need them to do. It would be great to have a complete rebuild but if I cant afford it is there a more affordable route I can take?

rings should be done in a set, do all six while your there.

if they can just hone the cylinders for you (if they don't need to be bored to clean up the walls or they are out of round)

then re-ring the pistons, and replace the bearings and gaskets, and be on your way.

Well, I agree with the re-ring and gaskets, but the 216 doesn't have replacable rod bearings (unless it has already been converted). Check the clearance, and remove shims as needed. Oh, yeah, and be careful to note how many and where the shims are located.

You should get a shop manual for your truck. With the guidance of the book and this board you should be able to re-ring and hone it yourself and save your money for other parts.(Plus the satisfaction you'll get doing it yourself) If you take it apart and the cylinders are scored make a boat anchor out of it and look for a 235 or a 261 which will drop in with minor modifications. Rings might just be stuck in the piston grooves on your dead cylinder. What if there's a sweet running motor in your neighborhood for a couple hundred bucks that you overlooked? No sense on blowing $1000 + to rebuild yours in that case. Just my opinion...

Curt B.

I agree with the upgrade in motor, one with full oil presure, 235, 250. There is a 1965 250 with a fourspeed tranny in our local thrifty nickel for $250. It runs and doesn't smoke. If I hadn't just bought a 72 4 speed tranny I would have opted for this setup, and I have a 235 in my truck already. And another 235 motor that doesn't smoke for $150.00. Can't beat those prices. I know you are far away and it would cost you $500 to ship a motor that far. If you have time search your local thrift papers or junk yards.

Dan Dilts
Woodland Park, CO