The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 vs 235

Everyone is telling me to change out my 216 for 235. I have a 49 chevy 3600 3/4 ton truck. It was originally a farm vehicle. very little miles on it, been sitting for over 40 years. Has a small crack in the block and I know someone that welds cast iron. I was wanting to weld it up and use it. Everyone else says change it out. This is not going to be a regular driver and I like the idea of staying true to the history of the vehicle. Will you all weigh in on your thoughts? thanks

Interesting.. I have a 1950 3600 that came from a farm in Illinois. My 216 ran, but had a few problems. After weighing the alternitives, I choose to replace it with a 235 (58-62 block) Pretty easy swap and I'm glad I did it. I still have the orginal 216 and will keep it. While mine is not a daily driver, I do drive it frequently. Going from 92 HP to over 145 HP helps where I live also. I kept the 'original' look to it.

I also believe the VIN number of your truck is on the engine. Anyway, something to think about.

Good luck and keep us posted..

PS, there should be some pics of mine if you click under my sig..

"This is not going to be a regular driver and I like the idea of staying true to the history of the vehicle."

Try to fix the engine, and drive it, and enjoy it.

If you want to change the engine later, at least you can then save/store this one, knowing it runs.

I tell my customers to build it to make them happy not others.
If you put a 235 in half the people will say cool and half will say you ruined it. Who do you want to please.

I am very happy with the 235 I have in my '51 burb, but if I had it all to do over again, I would have kept the 216. The most common and first question I get is "does it still have the original engine?"

Kurt

me too! and i lie through my teeth and say "yes" i found through time the majority of the people asking me dont know what they're looking at anyway. the ones that do say "nice upgrade" i look at it this way why have a ham sandwich when you can have steak for the same price. to ruin i,t which i would agree is to put a 350 or something else in that didnt directly bolt in. each to thier own as long as you enjoy it.

Mike,

When I asked you if you still have the original flat-head six, you immediately said "yes".

Probable advantages for each:

Keeping the 216 -

The truck will be worth more money if you (or your estate) sells it.
The truck will appeal to a larger universe of buyers if above
The truck may be showed in even national shows as original
The cost will probably be less than installing a 235

Installing a 235 -

The truck will have a few extra ponies.
The 235 may be somewhat more reliable.

And remember, if you install a 235, the people that like the non-original swap will ask you why you didn't install a 261.

Make yourself happy.

Jon.

Even if the crack is external, you'll need to strip the block down to bare bones to get a good weld. It will need to be pre-heated, peened, and post-heated, then buried in sand to do a very slow cool-down. Do a complete overhaul while the engine is apart, and drive it for another 50-something years!

If you don't want to go to the trouble of welding, there's a process called "stitching" where a series of overlapping threaded plugs are used to patch a crack.
Jerry

Nuthin' wrong with a 216 !!

With the gearing you will have , a 235 will be only a small advantage in power.

Build it so YOU are happy , not yer neighbour , he's unlikely to buy it when you are ready to sell.

The 216 in my '40 has been cracked for 20+ years , still a daily driver !

I went with rebuilding the 216. Mine's not the original 216 but I don't tell people that when asked. If/when it dies, I'm either calling Jerry (Hotrod Lincoln) for a 235 or digging up a 261 depending at that point on what direction I've gone with the rest of the truck.

I went with a 235 from a 54 car. It is a better engine and really benefits from an M4F cam. With a 4.10 gear swap I was driving the freeway to work every day and was keeping up with the traffic. But it's not for everyone. Rebuild your 216 and have the rods machined for insert bearings. It's a change that can't be seen and keeps you from have to adjust the rod bearings. Also have the hardened exhaust valve seats installed, eliminating any issues with running unleaded gas. Most of all, enjoy the ride.

Do yourself a favor and look into the hardened seat issue, you'll find its not needed for most applications.

My machine shop talked me out of hardened seats...said definately not necessary. My 216 is in my garage ready to be reassembled. I choose to retain the babitted rods as there were shims still under the caps. I think it will go a long while before causing any issues. I did change to alumium pistons which will help reduce load on the rod journals and help them last longer...I guess.