The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 50 Chevy 3100 216 (53?) with rod insert bearings

The 216 engine in my 50 chevy has a block casting number "GM3 3835849" and a head casting number "GM3835517". These casting numbers apparently refer to a 52/53 216. When I unbolted a connecting rod, I found that it has insert bearings and not babbitt. Did the 216 ever come with insert bearings? Maybe in 53? I did see some Internet references to a kit, from long ago, for converting from babbitt to insert.
Also, as a side note, the engine serial number "DR140622CAL" doesn't match up to any Chevy 216 serial number prefix data I could find on several Internet sites. Just trying to figure out what I have.

The splash oilers can be modified for inserts so if you still have the dippers and oil trays its a 216.

All splash engines, whether a 216 or early splash 235, came without insert rod bearings.
It is common practice to convert to insert.

Here is a link to a previous thread about converting an early 216 or 235 to insert bearings, or even pressurized lubrication for the rod bearings, as one member is planning.

Note that when Chevrolet first came out with full-pressure, insert rod bearings, the actual bearing material was still babbit metal. It was no longer spun (or poured, in the real old says).

Hoyt

Based on the input I'm getting from this and other forums, I'm starting to think that this engine was converted from babbitt to inserts. Also, based on the casting numbers, I'm thinking the engine is probably a 52'/53'. I'm learning a lot as I go along!