The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Safe 216 RPM

Hello, so my question may be stupid since the 235 would be logical for how I want to drive my truck but I am really hoping to keep the original drive train.

So what is a safe RPM to cruise at with my 216? I have heard that the old 216's don't handle higher rpm's so I am just wondering what to stay under to be safe. I'm not going to rev it up but I'd like to know what everyones reccomendation is. I'd hate to blow my motor crusing at 3500rpm if the reccomended max is only 3000. My truck is now running but I havn't actually ever driven it or one like it.

I am running the sm420 with the 1:1 4th gear, 4.11 rear end, and the stock sized tires (radials of the same size). I intend to update with the patrick's 3.55 gear set and then adress the brakes and stearing to keep it safe. In the end my goal is a safe crusing speed of 65mph.

Thanks
Greg

I might as well throw one more question while I'm at it. Would you reccomend the dual carb intake and/or the split exhaust manifold? I hear they increase the power but is it worth the cash.

If you plan on driving hilly territory you might want to reconsider the 3.55 with the 216. The 3.73 is about perfect for all around driveability with the 216. With 600x16 tires and the 3.73 you'll be a tick over 3000 rpm @ 65. A good 216 will take that all day.

I haven't seen anyone who is selling a 3.73 to fit the torque tube on my 50. Do you know who does? So you say my 216 will take 3000 rpm all day but what should I set my cruising limit at?

The word on the street is the dual carbs and fentons make quite a difference, I will find out when I get my lone connecting rod back. I had a local machine shop ruin one for me for the low, low price of $50. As far as cost, the intake and headers aren't horribly expensive, (I did not say cheap, I just want to make that clear) but the cool factor is worth it to me. (notice I said to me, you may be of a different opinion) One other thing you might consider is a different cam, I got one cam reground to a RV grind by oregon cam grinding. I'm sure there is several places in your area, that can do it for you. Howard cams has blanks for large journal cams, and when I ordered another cam the fella volunteered to take some off the back of the lobes so there would be enough clearance to be able to cut the journals down to the small journal size used in the 216. However I must at this time point out that it didn't fit as stated. and I had get it reground again. I don't know if the guy actually relieved the back of the lobes or not, or just not enough. And when I called the guy on it he said they don't do that. I am still confused.

I don't know what you'll need to put a 3.73 in your truck since I've not done that. Someone more familiar with swapping rear ends will have to help with that. That particular rear end is very plentiful and I've heard of others who have made the swap. Many Chevy cars of that and earlier eras had that rear end. That's the rear end in my '38 Master coupe. With all of the original drive lines that have been pulled to hot rod the cars, there should be tons available for purchase. I've cruised all day at 65 in my '38 although I prefer 55-60 because it just drives better. Someone who's familiar with swapping pumpkins will be along to give you detailed help on the how to part. Good luck with your project.

There are ring and pinion set made for the torque tube rear ends with a big variety of ratio's. Just use your computer search engine to look up those vendors. I have two 216's. One a splasher, the other converted to full pressure. I use a 3:55 in the '47 splasher and a 3:07 with a T-5 in the other. I have a Tach in each and both are at about 2900 at 65 MPH. My gear sets are from Getz Gears. I have a buddy here locally with a '41 coupe with a 216 with dual carbs, hi-lift rocker arms (1.6) and headers. He turns 3,600 RPMS all day long and it is holding together fine.
Normbc9

Do you have a link to where to buy the gear sets? I googled Getz Gears and all I came up with are links to old advertisements and a thread on the HAMB about Speedway selling a different brand as Getz Gears. Inquiring minds want to know.

I have the dual set up on my 216. I'm not sure it makes much difference. You have to consider that your throttle is opening twice as fast, so it feels like a big difference. I've noticed that I do get a smoother idle, and a little improved mileage. You can run more timing advance too. It also looks really cool!. I've had my set up on for about 12,000 miles now.

I seem to recall that you can run a 216 up to about 6000 rpm, I think I read that in the California Bill book, but that's with all kinds of stuff on the engine, like double valve springs, and magneto ignition, with dual points, etc.

I think the splash oil gets a bad rap these days, and its undeserved. They were used for millions of miles in trucks and cars, and we have much better oil these days.

That's my opinion, I'm sure others will disagree, and that's okay too!

yes if you have information on something other than 3.55 gears for the torque tube, please share that information, I have been looking for 2 years, and no one other than rickMG has found anything other than the stock 4.11, and patricks 3.55 gears. and he won't tell anyone where he got them. Yes you can turn the 216 6000 but you will have about $5000 into the engine.

The 3.55 R&P gear set is the only set available for an enclosed driveshaft Advance-Design 1/2 ton truck. If you have information of other R&P sets being available, a lot of people would be interested in the name of the vendor and the part number.

A "a 3:07 with a T-5" is most likely not an enclosed driveshaft rear-end (unless you know of an enclosed driveshaft T-5).

brokenhead,

Another option for 4.11 swap is a swap to a 3.90, using the R&P and ring-gear carrier from a 1954 1/2 ton truck. I do not recommend this, but I think it would work.

Patrick's has the 3.55 gear-set made for him (and he sells it to all other 3.55 vendors).

IIRC, Richmond Gears is the company that makes them for Patrick's, however, yu cannot buy them directly through them, only through Patrick's or the vendors that are supplied by him.

Thanks guys, You have all provided me with some great information. I'm getting excited to get to work on the truck. My father knows a guy who has alot (30-40 not a joke) ad trucks. He has a thing for them. Its funny that he has so many he had to start storing them at his brother's too. Anyway, he invited me to come look for some parts so I may keep my eyes out for the headers and intake. I know I can get atleast the 2nd carb and air cleaner for cheap.

But thanks and keep posting. This is great info.

What about the gears out of a 1954 1/2 ton, I think those are 3:90 gearing and its the same tubed drivline as the early ones.

Must have missed that post

I want higher than 3.55 not lower

Somebody’s pulling your leg.

There is not and never shall be another aftermarket ring and pinion alternative other than the 3:55 set for GM torque tube rear ends period. In comparison the stock 4:11 ring gear has over 3/8”of material from the root of the tooth at the outside diameter and on the upgrade this distance is reduced to less than 1/8”. There is simply no where else to go as the ring gear teeth would need to be cut right into the carrier so it’s just not physically possible. If Patrick Dykes could have picked up the phone and ordered a batch of 2:73 + - torque tube gearsets he would have done it by now and I laugh thinking how many times he must have heard that one.

On the HAMB a clever guy showed off his adaptation of a Jeep T-5 to a Furd torque tube rear and was asked about a Chevrolet solution and had no interest nor do I as the column shift 3 speed suits me fine but this is where I would investigate.

I went out and looked at the 3.55 gears I have out in the garage, and sure enough, you ain't gonna get any more. I had never really looked at them. That probably explains why no one claiming to have higher ratios will answer the question of where they got them, because they don't got them.

Sorry for the tardy answer. I'm a weekend warrior who left for weekend in a KC-10 Extender on 8-12-2011 and didn't get home until this afternoon. Getz was bought out by Speedway Auto Parts in Indianapolis, IN. I have never bought from them but do have friends who have. They have been satisfied with the products.
Normbc9