The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop These old 216s

In trying to resurrect the 216 out of my 53 I have found that they are really trash. Even if they clean up, the cylinders are in really good shape, the guts are useable, and neither the block or head has any cracks. The babbit liner/bearings are not worth relining if you can find someone to do it. Babbitt relining is almost a lost art. And the rods for replacement with bearing liners are impossible to find. All the rest of the engine bearings are available. Valves are easy to find, it just comes down to the piston rods. That is all I need to complete the reconstruction.

So, I have a rebuildable 216 with head that is the original out of my 53 and is not worth it. So much for trying to keep it original.

I am really quite disappointed.

Thanks for listening. I feel a little better.

Hey Dennis;
It sounds like your 216 is a prime candidate for a rebuild. A lot of the guys, and gals, here might disagree that the babbits are not worth redoing. From what I've read here, there are still a lot of shops out there that can do it. If you keep the 216 cool, oil changed regularly, and keep the revs down, they'll go a long long time.

Just a suggestion, but before you throw a belly-button 350/350 in there, you might make a few phone calls around to the engine builders in your area and see what's available to you. There's a lot of 216's (fresh ones, too) still running out there.

I have to disagree,no need to bash the whole breed because you had bad luck with one engine.

I have machined plenty of 216 rods for insert bearings, which makes them better than new. It's not a difficult process, and nobody can tell it's been done without a teardown including removing the rod caps. Don't bash an engine just because technology has replaced the conventional fix of installing rebabbited rods with a better procedure.

When I was learning this trade, every machine shop, and most parts stores stocked reconditioned Babbit rods, in the appropriate undersizes. As the engines got more scarce, the rework procedures and equipment got scrapped in favor of more profitable business. A few years ago, Federal-Mogul tooled up and produced insert bearings that only require melting the Babbit metal out and resizing of the rod big end by a few thousdandths. Then you have the option of installing the correct undersize bearing without messing with repouring bearing material into the rod. Quick, easy, and accurate! Send me your rods, and I'll bore/size them.
Jerry

ANother good reason to join the Inliners.org
The magazine alone with support vendors advertising for our engines is worth the price of admission. And of course there are the experts here who can give you super advice.

If you really look around you CAN find a shop who knows how to keep the bottom end pointed down. Contact Al Cunningham in Spring Branch, TX - 830-885-4512 for help.

Find you a 54-up 235 that runs, rodders are tossing them out everywhere in favor of cookie cutter 350s.

Big appology. I did not intend to trash the 216 engine in any sense. I only cared to voice my disappointment in not being able to (seemingly) follow my dream of rebuilding this 53 3100 with it's own parts. I want my 216 back in the truck.

I thought it funny that the engine rebuild stopped because of the rod bearings. I wanted what Jerry wrote about. Simply put - if I could get the babbitt material out and put in bearings. I did call the fellow that coilover mentioned in another thread and he did not give me good news.

I believe if I can get the rods fitted with bearings and have the head machined with new valves that it will provide me with a fine engine and last as long as the Lord will keep me on this earth.

Thank you for all the responses.

Jerry, if you are serious about working the rods, I would like to put pencil to paper and find out what I need, what you will do, and how much it will cost.

Thanks again,

You've got IM.
Jerry

I have new sets of pistons, rings, and standard size connecting rods for these 216 engines. These are good engines and will last a long time if they are used and maintained as intended. E-mail me if interested. [email protected]

Does that mean that you have those parts for your own use, or that you want to sell them chevyb?????
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL