Chevy 216 as a daily driver?

For sure, using my 50 Chevy truck with the 216 as a daily driver during the summer months. Keep the oil changed, brakes adjusted, and front bearings greased up and you won't have any troubles. Good luck and have fun!


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BTW, 52 MT 216 85 Net HP 4.11 Gear
53 PG 235 110 Net HP 3.55 Gear

Instead of going wild, a nice rebuilt 235 with a 3.55 gear or an OD would be a super driver, with a mild upgrade you could have 140 Net HP probably 90 plus MPH and cruise all day at 65 plus, just some ideas for the future,.

 

AS ABOVE!!!!
You will get to the stage that it will burn or leak more oil than you can afford, but you will have a lllooonnnggg beard by then.

 

Make sure you use anti freeze in winter... the block cracks right under the exhaust manifold if water freezes in em.

 

My first car/truck was a '49 Chevy 3100 with a 216. It was my daily for years. I drove it everywhere.

 

I have driven my 53 3100 everyday this week to work. It loves it, and so do I

 

My first car was a 41 chev 216, which I put 3 carbs on. I drove 60 most of the time, some times faster. If the engine is in good shape you will not hurt it. I also worked on a lot of 216, 235, 261. Early 235 had Babbitt rods same as a 216. Here is a picture of my 31 with a 235 engine. This was back in 1954.

 

Very cool, George. I've seen some early iron in the little books, with 3 carbs adapted to the stock manifold. Is this how yours was done, or aftermarket?

 

Yes I used a stock manifold and weld two more carb plates. Also used two accelerator pedals. One for one carb and the second one for two carbs. That way you could use one carb, or two carbs, or all three carbs. I welded it with fence wire, did not know at the time that you could not do that.

 

As the others said, keeping up with the maintenance and not beating it to death by trying to run at freeway speeds and knowing the limitations of the brakes are the main thing.

Meanwhile you can pick up and build that 235 or 261 and more road friendly trans and rear end if need be.

From past experience there isn't any car made that isn't immune to failing on the road at sometime or other be it ignition, fuel or mechanical failure. Most will treat you right if you treat them right though.

 

OK!! this is great stuff!! two gas pedals that would be clutch, brake, gas, second gas ,and starter!! back to the OP. DON"T count on that 216 holding up! Like said above 50 MPH is it.
If you buy the car, plan "B" should be a newer 235 ready to bolt in. I never had any luck with 216's and a friend didn't either

 

I'd LOVE to be in the situation to have this option! As I type, I commute 70 miles (one way) to work, so I can't As said before, with this engine, I'd like to have a backup myself. Maybe get another 6 cylinder on a stand waiting in case. That could be a hobby in itself, building up a stare engine I'd also upgrade to front discs myself, or be sure you're comfortable working on drums. I'd also run radials on a daily, just my own fears. And maybe have the radiator recored. And get an electric wiper motor! Can't stress that enough!!


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My Dad and uncles owned a sand and gravel pit, plus they made cement blocks . They used Chev trucks to delver gravel and blocks. They had trucks with 216, 235, and 261. The trucks had a much lower gear than cars. They never had bearing trouble. Most of the time they would go 80,000 plus miles before over haul. Chev use to haul parts from Flint "my home town" to Saginaw Mi with Chev trucks some with 216 engines, there were all kinds of Chev cars running around. If you think they did not go faster than 45 you are wrong. If the 216 is having bearing trouble, some one did some thing wrong. They are very reliable, but like every thing else in life, they have to be built right.

 

Finally had the chance to test drive. Owner had me go on freeway and drove just fine.



Its now my first car older than '73. Thanks for all the help and im sure I'll be on the forum more often now.

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Very nice. Most of the ones up here that are not running are 90% rust, 10% patina.

 

if it IS a powerglide, weren't they ALL 235"s ? Just asking....

 

Not powerglide. Manual tranny 216

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Yes, the PG cars were 235's, the 50's, 51's, and 52's were low pressure, splashers, beginning with the '53 they went with full pressure oiling.

 

230 motor, upgraded to a 700r and s10 rear. For safety's sake I did upgrade to disc brakes in the front. I don't drive daily, but have been on a couple lengthy trips so far.

Bob K is in Alaska and I think he runs a straight 6.....

 

230 motor, upgraded to a 700r and s10 rear. For safety's sake I did upgrade to disc brakes in the front. I don't drive daily, but have been on a couple lengthy trips so far.

Bob K is in Alaska and I think he runs a straight 6.....

 

Really!! I can not count the ones I have worked on and never saw a broken one.

Ben

 

Beautiful!!! ENJOY!.

Ben

 

That original equipment is fun for awhile but the high rpms got on my nerves after the first year.The 53 manual trans cars had the 235 but still babbit low pressure.The 53 powerglide received full pressure.I now have a 292 inline,350 turbo and 308 gears.I really enjoy going anywhere I want as fast as I want.Car was only down for a short period,didnt do the swap until. I had everthing I needed.

 

X2 on this info!.....50 mph tops, if you want it to last.