The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Chevy 216 vs GMC 228

I hope I don't ruffle anybody's feather, but can anybody tell me the difference between a 216 vs a 228? Which is better?

My vote would go to the 228 I have a 53 GMC 3/4 ton with one and am running a 216 that I just rebuilt in My 52-3100 the 228 has insert bearings and had a better carb on it also is full pressure oil sys. verses the splash oil on the 216, also has a few more HP.than the 216.But the 216 will run forever if taken care of and You don't try and run it at 55+ MPH.

Pete

The 216 is an automobile engine designed to propel a vehicle down the road. The 228 is a truck engine designed to haul a load down the road.

so 12 inches makes that much difference..

Thanks for the replies. I have the Stovebolt Virus and there is no cure. I got permission from "the boss", my lovely wife if I would find one reasonable to buy.

Yes, the GMC guys call it "long engine envy" - the GMC 228/248/270/302 engines are longer and, for the most part, better than 216/235/235/261 engines. The only feature in the Chevrolet sixes that was superior to GMC engines was the full-flow oil-filtration system used in 58-63 261 Chevrolet (USA) truck engines (the GMC sixes never had full-flow filtration).

Supposedly, the GMC engines also had a higher nickel content in the head/block, which made them more durable than the Chevrolet sixes?

"The only feature in the Chevrolet sixes that was superior to GMC engines was the full-flow oil -lubrication system used in 58-63 261 Chevrolet (USA) truck engines (the GMC sixes never had full-flow lubrication)."

Tim
Did you mean "Full flow oil filtration"?

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. I am on and off the phone with doctors and lawyers and was distracted.

Thanks, John

I will make the correction above.

Tim just messing with you!
For those that may be unaware...Full flow oil filtration is standard on todays vehicles, but not so much 50 years ago. It refers to how the oil is filtered...Ok you got that much from the name.

Early gmc engines and chevy engines used a "bypass" oil filter setup. "Dirty oil" was taken to a filter cartridge. "Clean oil" came out of the filter cartridge and was dumped back with the dirty oil in the oil pan.

The Full flow oil meathod pumps the 'dirty oil out of the block and into a filter. Clean oil is then returned to the block's oil galley where it gets pumped to the vital engine components. This meathod is considered superior because you are sending filtered oil to the main and rod bearings.

The GMC engine is certainly better than the 216-235 low oil pressure engines,but I'm not so sure if they are better than the 54 and up 235-261 Chevy.I could never find any hard facts stating a GMC lasted longer than a Chevy in normal duty truck use.It's all subjective stories from days long past.
For vintage hi performance use the GMC has more potential than the Chevy.In fact,back in the day,a built GMC could run away from a hot Flattie Ford V-8 and be more durable at the same time.
In the real world of today with a vintage truck living a live of luxury compared to the beating they used to get,there's no real difference between a Chevy or GMC other than a GMC truck should have a GMC engine.

Thanks Guys for the education!