Thread: Does Anyone Have A Chevy 216 V6 Motor That Needs To Be Rebuilt?

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Zak, if I came across as a little short this morning, it was because everyone on here, save one person, is telling you the 216's are not the most wise choice, and you are still insisting you want to go ahead with it. Sure, it is your car, and if you want to put a Briggs and Straton lawnmower engine in it, that is your right. But at some point you have to say to yourself (A) Why did General Motors and everybody else who had splash lubrication and babbitt bearings get away from them, and (B) Why are all these guys who have been around the block a few times telling me to go to a later engine?

If you are looking for a learning car, this could be a great one. You can learn to pound out dents, fix brakes and suspension, and the myriad of other tasks you will be doing. That is great, but a large number of cars that are started from projects, like yours, never see the road, because the builder gets in over his/her head, and loses interest .

As for the Vette and TransAm, I wasn't dumping on you for owning them, but when you said "I think that I'm off to a good start with the cars I've already had. I had two cars before I ever even got my permit.", it hit me that unless a 15 year old dropped out of school and got a full time job, those cars were probably gifts.

You asked for advise, and sometimes that advise is contrary to what we want to hear. If the members of this forum didn't care, they would just feed you a ration and blow you off as some 15 year old who doesn't have a clue. The fact you got so many responses to your post shows that is not the case.

Good luck with your car.


Don

My cars weren't gifts. My parents told me if I raised 1/3 of the $ for the Trans Am they would help me purchase it. After that it was up to me to by parts. I spent over $700 on parts alone after I purchased the car. I put more money in that car than they did. I am mainly using this car to learn how to beat out dents, patch holes, and do basic body work the way it used to be done. This car is an oppurtunity to learn the skills.
Zak

I know they (216) aren't the best choice to put in there, but it's worth it to me to put it back to original.

I want the original engine because if I ever want to sell it it will be original. Can you get a title on a car if it doesn't have one? It's been in the pasture for 25+ years and it doesn't have a title.

Tha depends on your state. Go to you motor vehicle place and check with them.

Call Texas DOT and tell them your story.

If you have other questions regarding lost or destroyed titles, please call our Vehicle Titles and Registration help line at (512) 465-7611.

Thanks for the help.
Zak

Originally Posted by 76GMC1500

Don't those old motors have poured bearings? You don't need a rebuild kit for that, you need a line boring machine and a very, very skilled mechanic in the old trades. He will actually have to make the bearings through a process similar to soldering and then bore them out on the line bore machine.

www.chevsofthe40s.com sells rods that are machined for regular bearings.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Zak, if I came across as a little short this morning, it was because everyone on here, save one person, is telling you the 216's are not the most wise choice, and you are still insisting you want to go ahead with it. Sure, it is your car, and if you want to put a Briggs and Straton lawnmower engine in it, that is your right. But at some point you have to say to yourself (A) Why did General Motors and everybody else who had splash lubrication and babbitt bearings get away from them, and (B) Why are all these guys who have been around the block a few times telling me to go to a later engine?

If you are looking for a learning car, this could be a great one. You can learn to pound out dents, fix brakes and suspension, and the myriad of other tasks you will be doing. That is great, but a large number of cars that are started from projects, like yours, never see the road, because the builder gets in over his/her head, and loses interest .

As for the Vette and TransAm, I wasn't dumping on you for owning them, but when you said "I think that I'm off to a good start with the cars I've already had. I had two cars before I ever even got my permit.", it hit me that unless a 15 year old dropped out of school and got a full time job, those cars were probably gifts.

You asked for advise, and sometimes that advise is contrary to what we want to hear. If the members of this forum didn't care, they would just feed you a ration and blow you off as some 15 year old who doesn't have a clue. The fact you got so many responses to your post shows that is not the case.

Good luck with your car.


Don

these motors actully were designed and originally built by Briggs and stratton actully the keys to my '51 Chevrolet have Briggs&Stratton engine co written right on them, both Have GM written on the fronts.

also, if he wants original but a little more power, a 1950-1952 235 uses the same valve cover and looks exactly the same with no diffrences. both the 216 and early 235 use a low oil preassure, 15 - 30 PSI where as a full preassure 235 runs 20- 60 PSI, so it's not like there compleatly splash oiling.

Matt,

The rod bearings were splash only, as I remember. And you still have to deal with the mains.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

You still have to deal with the mains.

that's true. I think they have a service for that tho, never looked at there engine section very close as I don't need anything. my babbit 235 I6 runs great so hopefully I won't have to worry about any of that, any time soon

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Matt,

The rod bearings were splash only, as I remember.

they could be. I know there is an oil pump, what the pump oils I'm not shure.

Thanks for the replies, Zak.

Originally Posted by Matt167

they could be. I know there is an oil pump, what the pump oils I'm not shure.

Matt, unless I've gone totally deep into Oltimerz', that 235 in your car with the powerglide should have insert bearings and should have an oil pump, and the oil pressure gauge should go all the way to 60 PSI, not the 30 PSI max that the splash and babbit bearing 216 had as it's top reading (and the 216 never got that high, believe me).

I really think he is going about this rebuild backwards, and I realize most of that is due to age and inexperience. The engine is the LEAST of his concerns now, he doesn't even have the car home or know if he can get a title to it yet.

My advice would be to stop this relentless search for a 216 and concentrate on the two items I mentioned above, then, when you get those straightened out, concentrate on the frame, running gear, and body, THEN worry about what engine you are going to use.

This whole thing reminds me of a T bucket we bought about 5 years ago. The frame and suspension were an abortion, the body was rough, but the kid we bought it from had about $ 4000.00 worth of chrome windshields, shifters, wheels, tires, and other "goodies" packed in his bedroom. He finally got discouraged and sold us the whole shooting match for $ 1500.00. He should have been getting the grunt work out of the way first, but his youthfulness steered him to buy the pretty stuff first.

It's like remodeling an old house that is falling down and making your first purchases a hot tub and swimmimg pool. Fix the foundation first.

Trouble is, I don't think Zak will heed any of the advise he has asked for.



Don