I need one of these for my 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster. If you have one please post it here. Remember it doesn't need to be running, but it needs to be rebuildable.
I need one of these for my 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster. If you have one please post it here. Remember it doesn't need to be running, but it needs to be rebuildable.
No one has one? It can be running or non-running. It must be rebuildable.
You may be misleading people as the motor you have discussed is not a V6. It is a "straight 6" or "inline 6". You could also tell what years of Chevrolet it was used in, so those who don't know what size engine they have could still respond.
I said I needed it for my 48 Stylemaster.
Someone told me it was a v6. That may have been a typo.
On another thread "Henry Rifle" told you that the motors were the same from 37-53, in all Chevy products. The only thing I will add is that the 53 with an automatic trans had the new 235. It is a better motor. I put one in my 53 Chevy with stick shift, replacing the 216. The only thing I had to do was drill some new holes in the motor mount brackets. These motors were the same until the early sixties, and were much better. If you are going to keep the car, put the 235 in it. If you want to keep it original to sell, go with the 216.
Zak: Been reading the threads you have posted re: the '48, and it appears you are new to the car rebuilding hobby. (when you asked what a compression test was, that sort of gave me a clue:3dSMILE: ) That's ok, welcome to the car world. Get ready for some greasy fingernails, busted knuckles, and a lot of fun.
Now, for this '48......what are you trying to accomplish with it. If you are looking to restore it, that is one thing, but if you want to build something to drive on a semi regular basis, that is a whole different animal. As HOTRODPAINT, Henry Rifle, and the others mentioned, the early 216's were superceded by engines that were vastly improved by having real bearings in them, among other improvements. These early engines were, well..........early. They were great engines in their day, but there is a reason Chevrolet changed to the bigger engine.........they had outlived their time. The splash oiling system works, but not as well as a real oil pump does. (probably someone will come on here and say the 216 is the best engine ever made, but this is just my opinion) I bought a '38 Chevy that the previous owner had painstakenly restored. I drove it around the block and took it to a swap meet and sold it. I couldn't see myself driving such a slow, noisy shifting, antique. I am just not a restorer guy.
Anyway, give us a thumbnail of what you want to do with the car. Post some pictures of what you have. As HOTRODPAINT said, a later straight 6 goes in there pretty easily, and will make it a much better car, driving-wise, but it will not be original. Nor will it be original unless you can find exactly the same year and model 216. By the fact that you have a vette, it appears you have an interest in cars, so that is a great place to start, but if you are going to rely on shops and others to do all the work for you, there will be more money in this car than it will ever be worth.
Time for some show-and-tell. Give us some pix showing as much as possible, and we can all give you a better idea of how to proceed. Also give us a rundown of what your goals are for the car.
Don
PS: Be a little patient in waiting for replys to your posts. This forum is spread out all over the world, in all different time zones, so the guy who may have an answer for you could be asleep when you are waiting for some response.
For one thing I was at my Grandfather's house day before yesterday when I found it. It was at the back of his pasture in a ditch. It's pretty much a shell. Over the past 30 years people dumped trash back there so the area has to be cleaned out before I can do anything to it. My Grandfather told me if I will spend the time to clean that area up I can have the car. There's no telling how long it's been sitting out there. He moved there in 1980 and it was back there when he bought the land. My plans for it are to get it out of the back of the pasture. Then piece by piece I'm going to take it apart to clean it up. (Sand it down, beat out dents, patch holes, etc.) There isn't anything really wrong with the body. Apparently someone thought it would be funny if they shot holes in the driver's side door. Nothing too bad. The body is solid with no bad rust. It's all surface rust. I guess because it has been under a tree for all of this time. I want to restore it to original. I'm 15 and I'll be driving the Vette for a while. I want to use the 48 as a project. My Grandpa used to rebuild cars in the late 50's & early 60's. I want him to teach me how to do body work, and if I can get a hold of one of the 1948 Chevy 216's I want him to show me how to rebuild the engine as well. This is my 3rd car already. Along with collecting cards, cars are a hobby.
Zak
I don't have any intentions in selling it. I like putting the cars back to original. I've had a 1980 Trans Am, 1985 Corvette, and now a 1948 Chevy Stylemaster. When restoring them they were put back to as close to original as possible. You don't happen to still have the 216 do you?
If you really want to drive this car much, you are going to be very unhappy with a 216. They are not on oil pressure motor. They use scoopers on the crank to splash oil around. They will not take any abuse at all. You'd be a lot happier with a 235 that has a full pressure system with pump and noone could really tell just looking at the motor that it was a 235 as the two motors are very similar on the outside. Take my word for it. I found out the hard way in 1962.:)
(QUOTE) (probably someone will come on here and say the 216 is the best engine ever made, but this is just my opinion)
I've noticed that too! If you make a statement on a forum, there is always someone to say it's wrong!
I guess that is exactly like "life in America". There is a group opposed to absolutely EVERYTHING.....even if you can't rationalize it! I guess it is their self-appointed job. I'm just glad that the "silent majority" is smarter than 99% of the people you see on the news channels!
I drove my '53 with the 216, which was pathetic, in terms of power. The babbit rod bearings did not hold up to my driving style long. I put the 235 in because it was cheap and available. The car was now more driveable, but still would not do well on the freeways today. It lasted well for the next few years that I had it.
Yeah I would like to have more power, but would like it to be original. I probably wouldn't drive it very often anyway. I have the Vette that has plenty of power. It will be my daily driver for the next 5+ years. HOTRODPAINT do you still have your car's original 216?
I'm not saying it's the best engine ever either, but that's what they came with so that's what I want to put in it.
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.
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.
Too bad you're so far away from Canada, I can get lots of 216's around here. I agree with everybody else, put a 235 in it, or better still, a 261 Pontiac or Chev truck engine. they were made from '55 to '62, and are the best of the "stovebolts".As for not being original, many cars were changed up to the later engines on warranty back in the '50's, when the old "dippers" gave up too early,so what's "original" in that case?
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.
I doubt that you built either car. You are about to enter a whole new arena with this '48, and I think your youthfulness is steering you in somewhat of the wrong direction. While I can understand one's desire to resurrect an old car that has been lying dormant for many years, you may be getting in over your head.
First of all is the skill level needed to do this sort of rebuild. When you asked what a compression test was, it tells me you have never actually done any work on a car. A compression test is about as basic as it gets. Secondly, you will need a whole lot of tools, which you may or may not have access to.
Thirdly you are choosing to replace an engine that is not the easiest to rebuild, or perhaps the best choice even if you could. These babbitt pounders were replaced by Chevy for a good reason, and as 76GMC1500 said, you just don't find machine shops capable of working on these on every street corner anymore.
And finally, you are starting with a car that is not exactly the most desirable car in the world to begin with. Not knocking it, but facts are facts. The cost of doing some cars vastly outweighs the value of the finished product. You would be better off, for your first build, to find one in running condition, and then learn basic auto skills from it. An ambitious project like this one would tax even seasoned car rebuilders.
As for the Vette and the other first car you had, I suspect these didn't come from your hard earned labor, but rather from some benefactor (parent perhaps), especially since you are only 15. The cars you can really brag about are the ones you earn the money to buy and maintain.
My advise is to leave the Chevy resting and find something you have a chance to actually get on the street. Youthful enthusiasm only goes so far, and then disappointment sets in, and the project never gets done. Sorry to be so frank, but I think you need the other side of the picture, too.
Don
My advice . . . wander over to the stovebolt (I posted the link in another thread) forum and do a lot of reading. While guys on this board are always willing to help anyone, most of us are rodders, not restorers.
216's and 235's weren't a good motor when they were new, why waste a lot of time and money on one??? Upgrade the car to a V-8, modern driveline, brakes and suspension and you'll have a car you can drive and enjoy. When you're ready to sell it and move on to another project, it will bring a whole lot more money modified and driveable than a stocker ever willl.......
One thing I have not seen mentioned is the first hing you need to do after you get the car pulled out.......
GET A TITlE FOR IT. Depending on the state laws where your at this potentially can be a long drawn out process and it would be a shame to go through all the work and money only to find out you don't own the car.
I agree with what the others say.. The 216 is an antiquated engine that has a splash oil system that doesn't work as well as the 235 or 250 engines. The 235 engine can still be found in junk yards as there were thousands of them built. My freind had a 51 chevy convertible that you could drive nicely at 55-60mph, but he found out the hard way when he tried to hot rod it. He eventually changed to the 235 from a 56 chevy and still has it to this day although it's been built up wit a milder cam , dual exhaust, better heads and a 4 barrel cam.
Itoldyouso-I understand everything your saying. The only car that was just flat out given to me is the 48. Sure my parents helped me out, but I paid $330 of the $1000 on the Trans Am and $1000 of the $5,600 on the Vette. I worked hard for the cars I have. And you're right I didn't really "rebuild them". On the Trans Am I did some body work. The Vette hasn't needed anything that required anyone to be too skilled. I have a while to think about the engine choose. I have access to everything I would need, to do body work or anything else that needs to be done. My Grandpa is a dumptruck driver, so he has pretty much every tool known to man. I'm not in any rush with the car. It's just something I was given and it gives me something to do when I'm at his house. It may be up to two years before the body work is done. Like I said I'm only 15 and have alot to learn from you guys and my Grandpa. My Uncle also rebuilds cars. Not quite as old, but he does everything. Right down to painting them. He mainly rebuilds cars from the late 60's to the early 70's. He is going to paint my Vette this summer.
Zak
Attachment 13885son, my advise to you is do what you can afford and build it the way you want,I got tried of people telling me to do this and do that but no matter what you do you will always meet a critic,I have the total of 6 cars and trucks (all classics in my opinion)that I build the way I wanted and like them,
the 47 fleetline(all original ) is one of my favorites to drive ( the year I was born), I got my interest in cars from my brothers at a very early age too!
my children and grand children like cars, so it's always good to see someone as young as your self show interest in cars,but yes it can be costly,you might want to look close to you area for a motor to save on freight or look for a wrecked or donor car that you can take parts off ,good luck!!
What I meant by rebuilding a 216 was taking it completely apart cleaning it and replacing anything that isn't working. I'm new at this and I don't know everything.
Zak
I was looking on Ebay and there was one for $50, but it's somewhere up north. If I'm going to rebuild a car I want it original. I don't like when people go to customizing the older cars. I feel it takes alot out of them. The 47 Fleetline is just like the Stylemaster but alot nicer. Isn't it?
Zak
My car looks just like except mine is a 4 door. I know it's not the most sporty car, but I like the way it looks.
You're car is very nice. Did you restore it yourself? Where did you get the parts?
Since I got this car for free I want to use this car to learn all of the skills you need to rebuild these old cars. Someone may think it's not worth it, but I like working on things. And I guess if it's already in bad condition I can't break anything.
Trust me, you don't want to deal with splash lubrication and poured lead bearings. It's going to cost you $$$ in machine shop bills and towing expenses.
I'm new to this. What's so bad about them?
I am second owner of this car, it had 55,000 original miles on it when I got it 6 years ago,I added the white walls, visor and a few pieces of chrome just things that come on that erra, there is still parts out there but are getting harder to find,(go to www.1948chevy.com) or ebay
Thanks. Do they not make aftermarket parts for this car?
I just like the way the old cars look when they are completely restored. And when I say restored I don't mean all original parts. I don't have any problem putting aftermarket products on it as long as they look original. The motor is one thing in my opinion that needs to be the same.
I congratulate you young man on what you want. You know what you want to do with your 48 and thats to restore it. Just a reminder that were just giving you info like the 235 as a better engine so you can make your choice. You've made yours and I think it's great. I managed to find some people who are selling there 216's. Don't know if they still have them or not but here's their phone #'s
1. George @303-431-9020
2. Paul @770-592-6350
3. Art@ 209-669-0674
4.E-mail schauty@aol.com
Hopefully one of them can help you.
If this will give a clue....NO manufacturer uses those bearings, or that type of oiling since the '50s!
They cost more, are less reliable, and take longer to repair.
Thanks, I know you all are just trying to help me make a decision and I think going back to the stock is what will be the best thing for me. Trust me if I want to drive a car with some power I won't be driving the 48. I will be driving my Vette. It may be the stock 350, but it has enough power for me.
Thanks for all of your help and the numbers. By the way how much should a 216 cost me? I'm new to this and I don't want to get ripped of.
Zak
I've got plenty of time. This is just a project that I've just started. I'm not looking for this to be a daily driver. Just something I can have fun with.
Zak
Zak Your 216 engine you want will cost whatever the seller wants to sell it at. If it came out of a running car probably $75.00-$150.00. If it's been rebuilt be prepared to spend Many of $$$$$.
Ok, well now the only problem is to find one close enough for me to pick it up. My Grandpa and I are going to work on the motor, so if it doesn't run that's ok. He is 62 and he grew up with these cars all of his life. He is going to teach me how to do everything on this car. As long as it's running that's all I need.
Zak
How much does it cost to get a 216 rebuilt? Just Curious.
Zak
