Is there a shortage of 216 Engines?

[gazzaw]

Hi All,

We have been trying to get a replacement 216 (or 235 if it easily fits the 216 bell housing etc) engine for our 216 C60L wrecker but for past 2 years it has proved difficult to find one.

Our poor wrecker has been off the road for all this time and we are running out of time to get mobile again. alternative is to break it and sell for spares or scrap, but we are a charity who use our vehicles to raise money for Armed services charities.

SOS and Mayday anyone with practical advice or help. We are based in UK

Gary

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gary

They're not scarce in the US but I'm afraid the shipping cost and a seller who is willing to pack and deal with customs shipping is the problem. The other problem is that without a great deal of luck any 216 found in the states will be in need of a rebuild which is running around $3000 that's what it cost to overhaul the engine of my HUP. Another part of the problem is buying and engine from an unknown source overseas can end with a very expensive boat anchor.

I know this doesn't really help but wanted to see if anything can be done to help.

Cheers Phil

[Bob Carriere]

...... any other GM six of that period...... 235 or 261 cu.in. as they will bolt right up to the original bell housing.

They are not falling out of trees anymore even here in North America but with some looking a running engine can be found for $500. or 600.00

too bad you are so far away as they don't fit in envelopes too easily !!!!

Good luck

Bob

[cletrac (RIP)]

Out here in the Canadian prairies I could gather up several rebuildable 216s on any given day. Like others said, shipping would kill you though.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Gary,

We have quite a number of UK-based CMP collectors, one of them should be able to give you some leads?

Have you placed a wanted ad on milweb, the 2 UK HMV magazines and various club magazines and websites?

One turned up the other day here in Holland, it came out of a post-war Chevy truck which was being dismantled by hot-rodders:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Here's a nice one to test your Chevy engine ID skills: seller claims it is a 216. Engine sits in what remains of a 1949 Chevrolet truck, which is in the process of being dismantled.
PS: here's the link to the advert for the Dutchmen who are looking for a Chevrolet engine - http://link.marktplaats.nl/525635919
Someone please go save this and drop it in a CMP!

BTW, what is wrong with your engine? I know Jaap Rietveld in Belgium had quite some spares for the Chevy 216, incl. complete cylinder heads.

Re-engining with the GMC 270 is another option, that's been done before, and those engines should be easier to source than the 216 in the UK.

HTH,
Hanno

[Tony Smith]

And another commonly-swapped engine is the Bedford 214ci Six (28hp sound right?), which should be readily sourced in the UK.