Since the 235 thats in my 37 p/u has a internal noise I have been considering going back to a 216 since I could probably find a nice one cheap,free or paid to haul it off. I have a T-5 and 3.55 gears in the 37 so it wont get over revved so those who are still running a 216 please speak up as I might try one if I cant find a good 235,I was thinking about going with a nailhead or olds but a 216 would get me back on the road quicker.
I think the 216 is a lot tougher than people give it credit for. I had a '51 chevy pickup way back when I was in high school. My Dad helped adjust the clearance on the bearings and I drove it like a teenager (foot on the floor) for over two years before it got t-boned by a Buick at a blind intersection. Still brings a tear to my eye--
I bought my '49 with a 216 5 years ago and got good service out of it until the cam gear broke. Yesterday I dropped the 216 and the old rear end at the s**** yard and got $97 ..I bought a rebuilt 261 on ebay for $475 last year because I knew I was on borrowed time and now it's getting repainted and installed with a powerglide rear.PAUL
I think the 235 will have to be removed to repair and just dont have the room in the garage to keep the 37 apart while repairing,the whole front clip will have to be removed so the paint wont get damaged and the front clip is not going to sit outside during the repair. If I were to come upon a good 216 or another 235 I could have it in and running over a weekend,I have another truck in the garage thats getting painted and it cant sit outside either so thats the situation I am in.
If the T5 is already installed in your truck you can put any number of the Chevy 6's in there with very little work. 235, 261, GMC 228, 248, 256, 270, 302, the later 230, 250, 292.
I got one in my 51....stock rear and ****** and it buzzes along pretty good on the Highway. I'm gonna do a t-5 swap if the motor ever goes.....
I just joined the HAMB just now just swo I could reply to you. I live in Stow, OH (Akron area) and 4 or 5 years ago a guy offered me a complete 16,000 Mi. 49 Chev 216 with trans for $200.-$300. Back around 1980 he bought the '49 from an uncle and did the 350 thing. I have a "50 but 2 years ago when my 216 started knocking, I was lucky enough to find a good 235. I still had his phone # and he still had the motor. He said between $200. and $300. but I don't think he has really tried to sell it. If you are interested, let me know and In will call him to see if it is still thyere. My email is fvlundgren@aol.com Fred
this would be my first choice [i run a 292 in my '39 gmc] but it will be hard to do without removing the nose or moving the other truck out of the garage. you need to find a bottle with a genie in it.
'48 Chevy truck with 216, 76k miles, T5 and 3:08 open rear. Runs around at 55 no problem. Have 500 miles on it since getting running after sitting for 38 years.
My 51 Fleetline Deluxe has one. Thing is tough. I just puy it in my shop and am about to do a 350 swap. I havemt had Amy probs with it except a rear main leak. I know someone who is selling a running 216 with a parts 216. Only 30k original miles
I done the T-5 swap 2 years ago and thats when I noticed the noise,it survived so far but now that I know its possibly serious it probably wont last too long. The 235 probably has a bad rod bearing,cracked piston,wrist pin or its the cylinder that had been sleeved,its probably been making the noise longer but after I slowed it down it became more noticable. A 216 would get me me some more time while I plan a V8 swap and not have to trip over a dead truck in the garage.
I had a 1946 chevy truck with a 216, for about 12 years. never had problems with the engine. I wish I still had that truck. had to sell it when I bought a brand new 1986 firebird.
I drive a '52 Styleline with the original 216. I took it apart, re-ringed it (original bore), replaced the main bearings, cam bearings, etc., had the cam re-ground by Shadbolt in Vancouver, B.C., re-shimmed the rods, put an S-10 T-5 and rear-end in it, and it's a major kick in the ***.
I (fairly recently) had a '47 Chevy (AD) truck with a babbit 216 that I ran as a hobby truck for about 10 years & had no issues with it. I don't think it was ever rebuilt & had a cracked block, which someone had successfully epoxied along the line. Other than having to clean the plugs regularly, I can't really remember any sort of engine problems. I did a cosmetic resto on the truck & sold it very fast for $7,500, so the cracked 216 (which I disclosed to the buyer) was obviously not an issue. When you'd get up to 45-50 mph & put your foot down, it was surprising responsive.
I have a 216 in my '50 Chev. 3spd and stock rear. I do about 50-55mph on the highway but don't want to push it much past that. 118,000miles and never been rebuilt as far as I know. This spring it is getting a rear out of a '52 automatic Pontiac, should help the rpm's on teh highway.
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