The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop need a machine shop in texas for 216 rebuild

guys, im looking for a machine shop in texas prefer near austin to have my 216 6cly rebuilt and updates rods and bearings anyone know of a good place with reliable workmanship?

I'm sure ther are shops near you that can do the work. One sure way is to contact the AACA club in your area or one of the many chevy clubs you can google up. In the Dalls area Piranio's Antique Automotive re-pours babbit and does bearing conversions and is a bit $$$. 972-382-2642. Jerry Willis in Princeton, Texas, does excellent rebuilding of the stovebolts and flatheads and is very reasonable. He held the national class twice in his chevy 6 powered 39 coupe back in the 60's. 972-736-2964.

spoke to piranios this am, darn he said a rebuild either repour bearings or update rods and bearings was around 3800.00!!!!!!!!!!!! for a 6cyl? thats crazy, the looking continues

any ideas folks?

Don't you have a machine shop around you? Do it yourself.It ain't that hard.

yes i have access to a friends machine shop tell me more on what all you would do to my 216 to make it reliable? plan to put the higher gear in rearend for hiway running would love a everyday driver 55-65mph tops

You can't rev a 216 and with highway gears and a/c I think you'll be disappointed with the lack of power. A nearly visually identical 261 or 235 would give you the grunt to pass somebody and haul something without worry. I would track down a later, full pressure engine, build it yourself using the online manuals and help of experienced bolters, and when it’s ready to drop in retire the babbit motor. Remember a warmed up 261 can make nearly twice the power of a 216 and bolt right in. I think a numbers matching resto is the only good reason to keep the 216.

Curt B.

sooooo a updated 216 rods and bearings wont go over 55mph on the hiway?????

It will with improved gearing but you would be better off getting a 235 or even a newer 250 and put it in place of the 216. Rebuilding would be cheaper also.

For a machine shop, give the following guys a call. They did some heads for a friends chevelle a few years back.

South Austin Machine Shop
(512) 444-3656 2801 Manchaca Rd
Austin, TX

G'day dbone,

Insert bearings and using alloy pistons will allow you to rev the little 216 a bit more. I have that on the 216 in my 41 with 3.55 diff and tall tyres. It happily sits at 55 -60 for hour after hour on the freeway. You do lose a bit of drivability if you live in a hilly area but on the flat its great. I love the 216 but if I were doing a full rebuild I would look for a 235 or 261. It really depends on how you will be using the truck.

All the best

Bob

I ran a 216 in my 37 truck for about 12 years. It was fine for crusing, but it would not hold it's own on any sort of hill and was especially difficult to try to pass someone without taking a quarter of a mile.

About 14 years ago I put a 261 in the truck. No problems now. It has great top end power!

I would not stop at a 216, I would go right on to a 261.

Joe

Have you tried South Austin Machine shop. Corner of Manchaca and south Lamar. I haven't tried them on anything this old but, they did good work on a 350 we rebuilt several years ago. best price around at the time.

just spoke to south austin scored a "home run".... they will be happy to do the work and at a fair price... love it,. any problems after the rebuild...there local....thanks gary

That is pronounced "ManShack" by the way.

unless it just has to be the 216,,pitch it and find a good 235 there are alot of them out there if you start looking...doc

dbone,

Howdy, I agree on ditching the 216 unless the guys are very familiar with working with the 'Babbit' style motors. It is a good strong motor but there are other motors out there to be had. I hit up some of the salvage yards out near Elroy on FM 812, they seem to have a slightly older stock of trucks out there. You can also try Eckert's in Stonewall, that would be closer to you but I haven't been out there in awhile. I bought some obsolete nuts and bolts off of one of their trucks one time. You can also ask at Central Garage there in Dripping to see if they know of anyone local. I can't think of anybody in Wimberley or Dripping that does machining but I have used some folks over in Buda and there are a couple to chose from over there as well. Hope this helps. Also, if you are looking to get ahold of some good parts and need some good advice, try C&J auto parts in Wimberley, if they can't get something I usually hit Napa or Carquest in San Marcos.