I have the original 216ci inline six in my 51' chevy, any hints,tips, or sugestions for hotrodding an engine like this? Thanks
Change to a 235. Better engine. Better oiling. Better all around. I just picked one up for 100 bucks. And it runs! Plus the speed parts are everywhere. It is a basic install. No problems. Message me if you have any questions.
mynameisnotpete is absolutely right...a 235 is the way to go..I have run several over the years in my '49. And if you want to get crazy there is a company called Clifford Performance that sells all kinds of cool six stuff...
Ran a 216 in my 50 p/u. Changed to 235 ran better. Changed to 283 and gas milage went from 12 to 18 and a lot better to drive and even more speed parts around. Best move I ever made to it.
Must be a new record! 4 replies deep in an inline post and no smartass V8 responses yet! Go with the 235 like they said, unless you want to go deep and get a 250 with better tranny options!
Oh, and do a "search" here on the HAMB. LOTS of great info and knowledge out here, and its easily found.
The 235 is the way to go, we set up a lot of duel carb set ups, and a split exhaust manifold with straight pipes. Just keep the rpms down. When you blow it up, switch to a 235. Get a good head for the 235, or shave yours. You can get some good power out of them. I worked on a straight 6 Chevy Camaro that would run 13s in a quarter mile as a nice daily driver. Think what that engine would do in a light hot rod. Have fun www.sakowskimotors.com
Those old splash motors were tough, you guys shouldn't be so scaredy. Another thing; not all 235's were full pressure, but the ones that are are more plentiful.
i agree with all this guys 235 is the way to go...rebuild it and do some work on the head to get it to breath and you will get the power you want
put 6k on my 216 this summer / fall dual exhaust 2 x1 tattersfield intake keep oil in it and its happy pretty tough some 200 miles trips also
216's are great but ........ there are not that many performance part for them and yes the first 235s where splash oiling and that is easily identified if you know what your looking for i built a 235 tri power with a mild cam with a 350 trans behind it with i got the adapter plate for a company call buffalo industries in Washington state if interested in that i have his phone # he doesn't believe in this new thing called computers. All the intruals parts i got form Patrick's in AZ. at good prices and they have a weath of info to help you along and o the first corvettes had six cyc in them with the stock split cast iron manifolds and if you need any other info i have a ton of it i will post pic if you like http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/
I am new here and i have a 48 stylemaster inline 6, and was going to change the six in it. I wanted to keep the look(man the motor is huge) but get modern 12 volt. Will this 235(what did they come in) work in my car and what trans will i run. Just thought i would ask never know, better safe than sorry. My motor runs great but wanted to convert to 12 volts.
Flop and the others are right. Your 216 will live a long time, but if it get low on oil, say good bye!! The 235 is better in every way-get a good one, then stash it till the 216 has a cast-iron convulsion. Then replace it, and wonder why you didn't do it years ago! Drive that dipper till she lets go. I burned a rod in my 48 aerosedan, (only 74k) and now I get to go with a 250 and a 2004r.
1. Introduce yourself. It's the polite thing to do. 2. Do a search. Your question is asked... and answered... at least once a month. 3. Inliners.org is a WEALTH of information if you don't find what you're looking for here. 4. The 216 is fine. There are TONS of vintage and new speed parts for them. Yes, a 235 or 261 are even better, BUT you'll need to modify the water pump (or get an adapter) if you use the full pressure '55-62 235. 5. CrustyRat... you don't need to change motors to convert to 12v. It's EASY. Do a search. 235s came as options in early 50s Chevys and in the economy models from 55-62 and most trucks during that era. The motor mounts changed, but you can just drill the front plate so you can mount it like an early motor into your car.
Stang97, As said, if your 216 is dependable, and you like it, then keep it. The speed parts for the 235 will also work on a 216. Only real difference is the intake port size and the bolt spacing that ties the intake and exhaust together. The intake port issue can be resolved with a set of stepped ring spacers from Larrowe & Sons, and if you run Fenton headers, the bolt spacing is not an issue. Otherwise, just slot the intake holes. Offenhauser still makes dual and triple intakes with the smaller intake ports. Most of the real vintage intakes you will find tend to have the smaller ports as well. If you want to try a different camshaft, Clifford makes a cam for the smaller bearing 37-53 engines. The 216 had smaller based carbs than the '54 and up 235's, so watch that when buying carbs. The later 235's and 261's are definitely the better animal, though. The 58-62 versions are the best, but front mount and water pump are issues, but easily resolved. Crustrat, As said, not a big deal to switch to 12V. Leave the 6V starter in it. Change the battery, bulbs, horn relay, use voltage reducers on the gas gauge, heater motor, change to a 12V generator and regulator, or convert to an altenator. There are instructions on the internet that tell you step by step how to do all of this, including part numbers.
I had a 235 inline 6 in my camaro for years, it ran like a champ! With some mild mods I was quite impressed with the results.
In a Camaro?! Are you sure that wasn't a 250? The last 235 appeared in a car in 1962, long before the first Camaro.
Yup, a 235 was what the guy whom I bought it from had in it. Til' I pulled it out and replaced it with a 350.
Cool i realy appreciate the info. I joined last night and went to the intro page and introduced myself. The last thing i want to do is to make someone think i am being rude. my real name is ben cox and i live in soddy daisy tn. I am 35 and my wife is 23, with kids (not by her) 13,11,5 two girls and a boy. This is the first car i have not owned the was modified with a big motor. I just like the way the motor looks in it and want to use it for the local shows with the kids and wife. I am not that mechanicaly smart but can cut and weld just about anything. I am sorry if i ask questions before looking i just sometines get ahead of myself. thanks for the info let me know if i can return it.
sorry if its not appropriate to post this here but, Ive got (2) 216 motors complete out of 48 chevs. looking for good homes -PM me.
Thanks guys for all the input, and sorry for not properly introducing myself Hellfish I like the 216, it runs strong, but like alot of you guys said, i cant seem to find too many performance parts for it,
Order a Clifford Catalogue and a Patricks Catalogue. Join Inliners International. Look on ebay or you friendly local bookstore for California Bills Inline book. He gets that little 216 (bored to 232 to out perform a 3/8 x 3/8 Merc. Well up into the 220hp range. Not to shabby.
Like I said, intakes, camshafts, dual springs, dual exhaust, dress up parts are all available brand new, so what exactly is it that you're having trouble finding??
Maybe you should ask Ethan. Anyway, Stang, you shouldn't have any trouble finding speed parts. new or used. Remember, Chevy 216s were up against flathead v8s and did pretty darn well. GMC inline 6s were also used and can pack a wallop. It's all in the gearing and breathing (headers and multiple carbs) California Bill and Roger Huntington bothe published books on hopping up the Chevy 6 in 1953-54 (so mostly 216 info). Reprints of both books are available from a variety of places including Amazon.
Two things to keep in mind with a 216--the stock cast iron pistons and babbit rods are your worst enemies concerning high rpm. Chevy made the piston part easy; you can bore a 216 .060 and use standard size aluminum pistons from any '54-'62 235. If the oiling system is in good condition, and the spray nozzles are aimed straight, a change to insert rods (converted from stock rods years ago by Federal Mogul) would put you in good shape. However, like the guys have been saying, if you're going to go to very much trouble, you may as well pick up a cheap 235 and start with that.
How do you know a 235 from a 250? I got an engine from a '69 Camaro. Can I use a 5 speed manual from a chevy s-10?
I just found a 292 a friend told me i could have it it came out of a truck. He told me that it sould be enough motor to move my 48 sylemaster down the road. Will this make some power, or do i still need to find a 235? I did some research of some sights and parts are ther for the grabs and just wanted some advise. Tonight i am going to research the mounting of it and see if i could use a 5 speed. I also plan to use a s10 rear end it also.
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