The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop To rebuilt or to not rebuilt the '46 216??!?

So I have been pondering this for some time now and thought I'd get some opinions here.
Clearly the 216 in my '46 is in very, very poor shape.
It would me much cheaper and easier to just drop another engine in for a few hundred $$$.
My problem is that I like the originality of the truck as a whole, includign every item on it etc, but I wonder when enough is enough!?!

drop a early 235 into it. much better oiling system. looks pretty much the same other than the side cover.

Always a tough decision Andy..... My thoughts are, how much and where do you drive your truck? Just local jaunts to the store' daily driver,or longer highways trips?
Ask yourself if perhaps a bit more power would be nice? You can still have an original look and feel with a larger displacement inline six !
But then....the old 216 is pretty cool, and worthy of a rebuild!!
A great dilemma you have..!!!??!

Yes- Gene Beck recommended to put a '54 235 in it as well (nothing earlier, nothing later - if I should go the 235 route).

My idea for the truck were just short distances, weekends etc
I really dont think I am interested in more power.
Would love to keep it original, butwhen looking at the expenses of rebuilding what I have, I am certain I will easily exceed $1,000. Replacement engine $350??
Take a look at these recen pictures after I removed the side cover:
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjy77yRc

the inside of my 216 looked like that also, i just cleaned it up a little degreaser and a vacuum didnt take long. i also pulled the pan and cleaned that up also along with under the valve cover. just make sure to oil it up well after cleaning. the reason they get so dirty is the breather system and lack of a full oiling system. that is why most guys go to the 235 full pressure oiling and no babitted bearings. i agree with you that the 216 is a cool engine that why i am going to triple carb mine with a split exhaust and hook it up on a stand so i can run it on occasion. just like the old hit and miss gas engines of yester years.

I like to have a fresh rebuilt engine. A used engine for a few hundred dollars may not be much better than the engine you have, unless you buy it from someone you know and trust.

One thing to keep in mind is the titling of the truck. If it's titled using the engine number and you replace the engine, the "VIN" on your title won't be on the truck and you'll need to re-title it.

The 216 starting in 37 and the 235 starting in 41 can boh be made very dependable if knowledgeably rebuilt and updated. The Babbitt bearings are rugged but misunderstood by most mechanics/engine builders.As far as getting an engine job for a $1000, it won't be very good and a poor investment if you expect it to be right. David

You are correct. Just a few years ago a local good quality rebuilder in Anaheim, CA charged $1000 to rebuild a 235. Now the same shop charges $1800. They tell me the cost of the rebuild kits has gone up but I don't know for sure. I do know inflation is raising many prices. The same shop rebuilt my 63 Chevy 327 V8 for $1700 in November.

Hi Andy,
Like you, I appreciate the originality specific to the year of my truck so I can appreciate your idea of dedication to that.
I can't see your picture (I'm at work) but gather from Mo's comments that it is pretty sludgy. ???
I was wondering about the engine performance though.
Does it smoke or knock? I'm just trying to see your reason for the rebuild.

Jerry

Mine looked like that too. I ran a degreaser thru, painted it, put it back together and it looks and runs like new. It now has an electrical issue and I'm starting to wonder if I should up grade to a '54 235 or keep the ol' splasher. The 216 is pretty dang cool when you open the hood at a gas station.

Yes sir, it definitely is!

For what it's worth my '38 216 is at the builders right now for an overhaul. I've got other vehicles that will run 100 miles per hour & faster and my '38 with it's original engine is a real head turner at shows BECAUSE it still has the original engine. I get a lot of thank yous and atta boys for keeping the original power train.

I'm almost done with my 216, I won't say how much money I have into it in all, but I will say I have $500 into the crankshaft alone. But I had it drilled for oiling, had the end drilled and tapped for a bolt to hold the damper on, and ground, the shipping was horrendous. You won't get away cheap. but it is cool. You can upgrade the oiling with no external indication. It really isn't that hard. You can use a full pressure crank and rods out of a 235, you will need custom pistons, but ross makes pistons and they will adjust the compression height for no extra charge, (they still aren't cheap) and cut down the thrust bearing journal in the block. Or you can get the 216 crank drilled. there are a few options. I kept mine, I can't really see 19 more cubic inches making that incredible difference, if you have any interest PM me, I will tell you everything I have learned about this. I mean anyone can put a 235 in it, as far as I am concerned you might as well put in a crate motor, but that is just me. However a '46 might have some major difference from my '52, my knowledge of these is limited to MY engine, but like I said I will share anything I have figured out. We both might learn something.