The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1949 216 engine undergoing testing

Hey all, I decided to test the compression and vacuum in my 3800 project waiting to happen. Here is what I got;

#1 108lbs
#2 110lbs
#3 107lbs
#4 109lbs
#5 109lbs
#6 110lbs

vacuum tester connected to the vacuum port on the intake manifold read around 19-20"

Engine runs strong- just needs a tailpipe and muffler- What do you Stovebolt experts think-
Book says 110 or better-
I want to make this truck the budget work truck- click the 3800 link in my post at the bottom to see pics- Rad will get re-cored, new wiring harness- and of course a good seafoam treatment through the oil system. The rest of the mechanical will come when I work on it- Powerplant for now.
Thanks,
Sam

Sam,

That is a good looking truck. I think your compression is ok. My 216 runs between 100 and 120 across all cylinders. The service manual says 110. I think as long as you don't have more than 10 percent variance you are ok but others with more expertise will chime in.

Vac number seems goo too.

Rich

I like goo numbers. . . just kidding-
No, that is what I am thinking- runs strong(just loud right now)
I have not really logged any driving time in it- I want to go through everything before I get down the road and have some catastrophic failure that could have been avoided saving me $$$. but around the yard it is good so far.

I just got mine on the road this year. A lot of short trips around town helped me get more confident. I would drive a litlle, tweak a little, drive some more etc.

I still have a problem wit a misfire but I am having a blast driving it.

Those # look good Sam.
My 216 is around 125-127. It was rebuilt about 20 years ago. But, it was over-bored, so that would raise the compression now wouldn't it?

Thats just what I did before I moved to using mine as a daily driver.
At the time, I was trying to sell my "modern" truck. I checked just what you are. Sort of get a feel for how everything was doing in there.

Then, I drove it once a week to work, 35 miles. More and more often. Now, for over a year I have been driving it everyday. I drove about 8500 miles last year, and never had a problem. Other that those that come up with even a ten year old truck.

There were a few surprises. My engine mounts, turned out they were made of hockey pucks.

I was going to replace the wiring harness in my truck with a cloth one even. But saved the money. The only trouble I was having was at the ends of the wire runs, the insulation was cracked. So, when I had each connection undone to clean it, I coated the last few inches with liquid electrical tape.
Cant wait to see you on the road!

Mr Lang I have looked your truck pics over many times. It is a great looking truck. With my 3/4 ton I drive it a lot. I put 3500 miles on it in the past year so far. stock 216 with 4 speed. and it is doing well. I am anal and change the oil about every 1000(I know very often) but it keeps me in the garage and tinkering. I saw your double carb and looked like dual exhaust set up. Do you haul a lot of loads? or is it mainly for the better power? I find that my 3/4 ton has plenty of power for the gearing(when only hauling people and light loads(under 1000lbs)

Rust Bucket I still drive and tweak on all of my trucks- that is what I love about them.
Glad you got yours on the road. that is where they belong.

Well, when I have my work hat on, I am a wooden boat builder. So, I haul all sorts of assorted tools around with me. I generally have about 500 pounds of tools. Plus lumber. A few times a month, I haul a ton of wood back to my shop.
I do drive enough I notice I save a bit on fuel. I do drive with a pretty light foot. I tend to run up through through all four gears.
It looks cool, and you don't see too many "hotrod" one tons, sitting on split rims and bias ply tires.
Plus, I like to tinker, same as most here.

Ok- so I had to take the intake/exhaust manifold off to fix the exhaust studs.
Found the back end of it to be in bad shape from years of water coming in throught the hood vent drain hose- So on goes a spare- I will clean it up tomorrow and get it mounted- Today I took the rocker arm cover off- someone had glued both sides of the gasket- and I also puled the carb, horn, ac S-6 oil filter, and as stated above the manifold. Valves and rockers look clean. tomorrow the head comes off- new oil seals on the valve as well as cleaning- then new head gasket- then re-assemble what came off- Carb will be cleaned and re-assembled with fresh dressing.
engine will get a touch up paint job as well in the correct gray- and the oil filter the correct yellow body with black lid.

Radiator is coming out and off to the shop for testing and service- I think it is good- just needs to be brazed back together. It is the heavy radiator- I am looking forward to see how it compares in the summer cooling wise to the standard 216 radiator that my 1/2 and 3/4 ton have.

So tomorrow's plan

Stop at hardware and get paint-

pull radiator- then head-

Clean and service head.

Reinstall head and side cover

paint majority of engine

re-install manifold(after service- allowing engine paint to tack up)

Install exhaust

install oil filter with hoses

service horn and reinstall

Time permitting- take a look at the carb.

The rest next weekend.

You da man Sam, in my garage that would be at least a months work now. Ya better enjoy your working years, cuz when you retire you won't have all that time on your hands.
Are ya running out of room to store all those trucks yet???
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Not yet, Had a delay today- so I only got everything up to the install manifold- it went on fine- I will have to fabricate the exhaust the next time I am in the shop.
Still have room for one or two trucks-
But, have to get moved out of the city first. Then I will begin searching(actively that is)

The 3800 is going to be nice- Althought I am going to swap the fram from my 3600 and the delco s-6 on the 3800. I think the delco looks really nice and I like the yellow black color scheme.

Carb is in good shape- just needs the float adjusted, and some missing clips replaced- I am going to go ahead and put the entire rebuild kit in though -might as well since it is off and apart.