Technical 1950 chevy styleline

we have some questions about our 1950 chevy styleline with a 216. is the 216 a bad engine because of the type of engine bearings and oil system? can it be updated? is there a more popular engine swap? is the front suspension worth keeping and does it need any upgrades or tear it out and put in something different?

 

Suspension is fine. A full-pressure insert bearing 235, or 261, is a bolt-in.

 

That said, if you have a 216 that is running fine, be nice to it, drive on.

 

I had a 52. I replaced a couple of worn components in the front suspension and it went down the road just fine. Also, had a babbit bearing 216, no problems with it either. I don't think I would put the money into rebuilding that motor but wouldn't swap it out if it ran fine.

53 w/ a Powerglide and all 54 forward had the full pressure with the insert bearings. 53 and 54 were side-mounts, I think they went back to front-rear mounts in 55.

The Filling Station had a great article on these engines but I can't seem to locate it.

 

There are some improvements that can be made to the 216, such as insert bearing conversion for the rods ($$$), and it seems to me there's a way of converting to full pressure also (I'm probably wrong on that), and updated HEI ignition conversions. I think the 80 to 90ish HP of the 216 is a biggest downfall. With the costs involved of these older engines, you might as well start looking for a 261 now, they all cost about the same for parts/machine work. ChevyTalk.Org is where you'll get the most accurate information in the 49-54 forum as there are some
"old time" Chevrolet mechanics there. Most guys want to get away from the 4.11:1 rear end gearing, and swap to the 3.55:1 the automatic equipped cars came with. The 49-54 cars share essentially the same front suspension as the 55-62 Corvettes. I know there are many guys who have their hearts and souls in the 216-235-261 engines, but personally, I'd lean in the direction of the later style 194-215-230-250-292 sixes. Seven main bearings as opposed to four, more HP, better parts availability, and superior oiling are just some of the selling points. But what do I know? We went the V-8 route with the 51 Business Coupe after I gave the car to my nephew. My original plan was the later six, stock 3-speed trans/torque-tube rear end, and I had ***embled all the parts needed for the swap. I sold all that to a fellow HAMBER, and now I'm putting another kit together for future sale. For a while, the 49-54 Chevrolet cars were being referred to a "Rockstars" here on the HAMB, but that term seems to have died out; I'd like to see it brought back. These are just cool cars. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

thank you

 

I wanna do a 250 ci swap for my 50' deluxe. But am told it's longer than the 235. Don't what to do any radiator mods. Might have to go with a V-8 swap ☹

 

I've put thousands of miles on 216s. it's not a race motor, nothing wrong with them if driven easy.