wanted chev 216 20thou under main bearings

[jim sewell]

The 216 engine that was used in the chev blitz was made in Canada from 1937 to 1945 and this can be identified by having a single hole from the waterpump to the block and having dome top pistons .

This same engine was produced in the USA from 1937 until 1940/41

In 1940/41 the engine underwent a change in the USA and came out with two holes going from the water pump to the block and flat top pistons plus other internal engine changes , this engine was produced until 1947.

Australia in 1942 received from the USA a considerable number of chev trucks Model M 160'' W/base for war support ( in Aust we call them Lend/Lease trucks ) .
It is possible over the years that these engines have become transplanted in blitz's or vice versa and this make ordering engine parts a bit tricky , when ordering parts on line from the USA keep in mind that blitz engines are the 1937 to 1940/41 engine .
Jim S.

[Phil Waterman]

Jim Sewell raises a very good point in his post about domed pistons and water pump changes, which fits right in to the thread http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/sh...ad.php?t=12592 (I'll post the piston listing pages on that thread.)

As to the water pump the picture below shows a `41 style water pump single inlet and the later 2 inlet + vent of the second style as you can see these are not interchangeable. This becomes very evident in the second photo which shows the gasket for two hole on the `41 single hole, as you can see the inlets don't line up nor do the mounting bolts.

[aj.lec]

Has anyone got the original part numbers for the main bearings on the cmp 216 ?
Thanks

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by aj.lec

Has anyone got the original part numbers for the main bearings on the cmp 216 ?
Thanks

Andrew,

Just be carefull as the original replacement bearings were supplied in a ' semi finished ' condition . The idea was they were to be ' line bored ' , as per the manual . I think the original part numbers will be for those semi finished shells. Not many engine shops do the line boring work any more , and it's a very time consuming, therefore, expensive process. The 216 precision shells didn't make an appearance til around 1948 ..they were made to fit the earlier motors pre 48 , as well as the post 48 motors.

I've got a booklet here put out by GM , on the precision shells and how to install them with the motor in situ. You still use the shims , per the older type shells, which is interesting .

Mike

[aj.lec]

Thanks Mike
Have tried three different US suppliers but I dont know what it is with US companies but they seem incapable of answering emails
very frustrating when you are trying to get things happenning

I was curious about the original numbers as I have been told of a bloke with quite a few different cmp bearings but he dosent know what they fit or what to look for
thought it may be a place to start
Might be lucky enough to strike a finished set

Would it be possible to get a scan or copy of that manual ?
It sounds like a interesting read

[jim sewell]

Andrew as Mike stated earlier the original main bearings were supplied for either line boring or hand scraping ( two different pt/numbers )

Here are some pt /no's for std mains .
Blitz Parts book ( for hand reaming )
Front main 604003
Front int 604004
Rear int 604006
Rear 604535

Nasco ( precision finish )
F 3847064
FI 3847201
RI 3847606
R 3847068 ( 40/47 )
3847067 ( 37/39 )
Repco ( sets for domed piston engines )
1937/39 4M9559
1940 4M9979
It appears that the front 3 mains went right up to 1947 but the back main kept changing hence the different sets.
When ordering check the width of the rear main .
I have several sets of GMC mains , I will cross reference the numbers to see if they match.

Regards
Jim S.

[cletrac (RIP)]

Check out this ebay store. They list main bearings for $87.37.They also have overhaul kits fir around $750.

[jim sewell]

Cletrac , let us in on your secret , please.
Jim S.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by jim sewell

The 216 engine that was used in the chev blitz was made in Canada from 1937 to 1945 and this can be identified by having a single hole from the waterpump to the block and having dome top pistons .

This same engine was produced in the USA from 1937 until 1940/41

In 1940/41 the engine underwent a change in the USA and came out with two holes going from the water pump to the block and flat top pistons plus other internal engine changes , this engine was produced until 1947.

Australia in 1942 received from the USA a considerable number of chev trucks Model M 160'' W/base for war support ( in Aust we call them Lend/Lease trucks ) .
It is possible over the years that these engines have become transplanted in blitz's or vice versa and this make ordering engine parts a bit tricky , when ordering parts on line from the USA keep in mind that blitz engines are the 1937 to 1940/41 engine .
Jim S.

Yes on all of that Jim. And , on the 216, the push rod length and lifters changed at 1940 - push rods are shorter than 1939.

Another difference from 41 on, and this applies to the local GMH assembled 216 engines : the valve spring caps changed - from memory this affects the valve stem length. I've got a GMH notation somewhere , explaining it.
Mike

[jim sewell]

Andrew
In an earlier post I listed std bearings from Nasco , here are the .020'' u/s

Front 3847200 37/47
F/Int 3847201
R/Int 3847202
Rear 3847204 40/47

Repco would have 020 tacked onto the existing number .
If you come across other brands of bearings I maybe able to cross referance.

And , on the 216, the push rod length and lifters changed at 1940 - push rods are shorter than 1939.
Mike
The push rod part number for the 1940 chev is the same part number as the Blitz so these must be 1940 engines in blitz's, this push rod went from 1940 to 1952.
On the 235 chev motors ( 1946/52 ) fitted to Maple Leaf and 15 series spash feed , these push rods were about 3 mm longer and this is an easy way to tell if you have a 216 or a 235.
GMC have similar crankshaft journal sizes but differ in the locating tang / dowel arrangement.
Regards
Jim S

[Mike K]

Just some more info .

Around ten years back, my local REPCO store ( Warragul ), still had 216 Chevy ring sets listed as available from their then current catalogue. When informed of this at their counter , I was somewhat surprised as they had, by that time, got out of supplying parts for older vehicles.

The other well known source of Chev bits, Col Bradford of Cheltenham, Melbourne, has closed and retired. He was always good for just about anything.
Mike

[Mike K]

I found the 1941 supplement in the 1940 GMH issued manual .The supplement also has info on the WO split rims .The front cover states :

Third edition
reproduced for the use by
THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES


QUOTE

The 1941 engine , with the exception of several improvements, remains the same as the 1940 engine. These changes are briefly , the addition of an inlet valve spring cap cover, improved timing gear lubrication, and revised machining of the inside of the flywheel to prevent lubricant geting onto the clutch plate.

The inlet valve stem is changed above the valve spring to make provision for the use of an inlet valve spring cap cover , umbrella type.

The 1941 intake valves can be identified by the number "41" stamped on the head . The stem is shorter to allow for the fitting of the umbrella and is not hardened. The valve, therefore , can be used in 1940 engines , providing the umbrella is also used

END OF QUOTE

Mike

[jim sewell]

Thanks for the info mike , interesting .
There is a good supply of .040'' o/size rings here in the West if anyone is requiring them for the 216 .
Regards
Jim S.

[aj.lec]

I contacted Ross Prince today
He didnt have what i needed
He has semi finished bearings at arout 010 under
Nothing near 020 under
Still no reply from any of the US companies