The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop (Thoughts) updating driveline on 216....

I am wanting to put a modern tranny and rear end in my 53 Chevy 3100 with the Original 216. Was thinking 350 trans and S-10 rear end. ANY words would be appreciated.....! Thanks

In my opinion your asking a lot out of a 216 to power the 350 trans. Using an S10 rear, would you consider a manual 5spd. from an S10 too. Or are you more interested in an automatic? If so, you may want to replace the 216 with a more powerful 235 or 261.

Thanks Shark... For the cost right now I would really like to keep the 216 and not upgrade to the 235. Its not speed I am looking for just to lower the RPM's at highway speeds. I would consider anything right now just would like some opinions on the pro's and con's. I have a 235 waiting for a rebuild but for right now this 216 is strong and runs great and would save me some $$$'s.

Best bang for you buck would be a T-5 stick shift vs the automatic as the 216 to 350 adaptor is really pricy, not to mention the need for extra power. There are lots rear ends that would work nicely under your 53.

Your major motor mounts with the truck are attached to the bellhousing so you do not want to toss that piece for any automatic. Keep it simple!

Anymore thoughts would help anyone out there do this with their 216. I really dont want to spend a fortune but I also dont want to BLOW my motor. I just want to bring the RPM's down...

to bring the RPM's down...just change the ring and pinion
patricksantiquecars.com

I have looked into that and have been told its only a small RPM amount for the cost and only gain 5-10 MPH. Will it not be 5-10 MPH fatser but still have the same RPM's as I am at now? Sorry just learning everyday. New to al this? Thanks...!

My 38 216 with the 3.73 rear gear will comfortably run 60+ all day. The 3.55 would put you at a comfortable 65 to 70 with no excess strain on the engine.

The calculations are straight forward. If you change from 4.11 to 3.55, your RPM will be reduced by about 16% (at the same MPH).

Someone will post the address/link for an RPM calculator, but let's say your RPM at 60 mph is 3200 with a 4.11 rear; the RPM would be about 2750 with the 3.55 rear. 450 RPM reduction

Or, say your RPM is about 2700 at 55 mph (4.11 rear); at 2700 RPM with a 3.55 rear, you'd go about 64 mph. 10 mph improvement

http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html

(I hope my quick calculations are close to being correct)

Tim

as you reduce the final drive ratio, remember the engine only has so much torque available. If your running out of power with 4.11's then you will run out of power that much more quickly with 3.55's Just because you can pull 2700 RPM with 4.11's doesnt mean that there is enough motor yet with a set of 3.55's.

Regarding automatics, remember a TH350 is only 73% efficient. The remainder of the 27% goes to make heat. Where a manual transmission is closer to 94% efficient. If your looking at automatics, I would go for one of the overdrive units, either a 200R4 or 700R4 and run a vacuum and brake switch to shift in and out of overdrive.

I agree though, that a 5-speed (with overdrive) is a good choice.

Is that really true, a 350 auto is only 73 per cent efficient? I have long said that the automatic transmission is the work of the devil, but I had no idea they were that bad.

I think every high school driving class should make it mandatory that the student be proficient in operating a manual transmission. This would save a lot of gas.

running out of power wasn't in the original equation, dropping Rs was. which is going to reduce wear on the engine when using the 450 Rs savings. so, in a 1hr drive, he's saved 27k Rs. on a daily basis, that'd be close to 10mil Rs/yr. which is approx 22k miles/yr. i'd say that's a significant saving for the engine, not to mention the gals of gas
check me math

is there a T-5 stick that will fit my 53 3600 with a 216?

One of my concerns is does the 216 have the power to handle the 350 tranny, or am I asking for trouble? I am not looking for speed just a drop in the RPM's

If your looking for a drop in rpm's then the th350 is the wrong choice. The final drive ratio for it is 1 to 1, same as the original transmission in the truck. If you want to drop rpm's by using a automatic transmission your going to need a th200r4 or a th700r4. Using one of these transmissions has a whole set of issues to put in and make work properly. As far as the 216 having enough power depends on many things. If your motor was fresh or one in good tune it would probably handle having it connected to a overdrive (higher final drive ratio) (more speed, less rpm's). If you motor is tired then it would have a hard time with the overdrive.

Thanks everyone keep the info coming...