I've got two questions. I'm wanting to build up my 216 inline in my 52 chevy p/u and was wondering if anybody out there has done this, what they did and what kind of power did they get out of it. Finding parts isn't all that easy it seems. I want it as a daily driver so nothing crazy like full race or anything like that. Secondly, has anybody ever lowered the front of a p/u using lowering blocks with the leafsprings. My rearend will get lowered that way since the axle already sits over the leafs. But I was wondering if it was possible to flip the front axle ontop of the leafs and maybe add a block as well??? From what I can figure it should work, with a loss of suspension travel and possibly having to modify my steering arm. Has anyone seen this done or done it themselves? Are there any saftey issuses I'm missing?? Thanks in advance!!
California Bill has a book, I recall, that seems to be the Bible of us Babbit pounders...My local library has it, so check with your public library.
Someone will disagree with me but you probably don't need to expect a ton of power from the old 6 cylinder. i'd probably throw a split exhaust at it and make it fresh and drive it if it were mine. You're front end does not want blocks. Put the axle on top of the springs and maybe get the eyes reversed. or ship the axle off to one ofgf the fellas on here that drops 'em and get it dropped a bit is your best bet.
Welcome to the HAMB and before someone jumps on you about this and gets pissy I'd suggest using the search function to look up Chevy 216, 6 banger, inline motors etc.. There have been a fair number of posts regarding inline motors & Chevy sixes lately. Also check out Inliners International. There were a fair number of intakes (2 & 3 carb) made for the 216 motor, Nicson, Fenton, Thickstun, Sharp, Tattersfield, McGurk, etc....There were also a number of alloy valve covers made, I believe you can still get mild cams for the 216 (Howards comes to mind). If you really want to the 216 can be converted to full pressure oiling as well. there is a lot of info here, on Inliners, at Chevy Talk etc....
Thanks for the info from everyone. I suspect that flipping the front axle ontop of the leafs will probly get me low enough. I wasn't wanting to go with a dropped axle because of the added cost. I've heard that blocks in the front are bad from many people, but there has yet to be anyone who can tell me why??? As for my 216, I knew that there was alot of different companies that made the parts 50years ago, just didn't have much luck in finding them now. Those sites are new to me so I'll check them out. Thanks again!
Blocks in the front is bad because it doesn't work that way up there. You either drop the axle (best way) or as P&B said, axle on top of the springs. The downside of the latter is 1'' suspension travel if you're lucky ... the 4 1/2'' drop for the cost of the bolts is the good part. A '55 up pitman arm will take care of the bump steer, steering arms and drag link will need some mods. I use a shock with an eye style mount at the bottom in place of the pin style OEM to clean things up.
Check out Patrick's (http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/). Tell Danese that Richard from NAPA says Hello!
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