Is there a shortage of 216 Engines?

Phil Waterman · #1 31-03-12, 01:25

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 · #2 31-03-12, 04:36

...... 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) · #3 31-03-12, 05:54

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 · #4 31-03-12, 13:54

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:

Quote:

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 · #5 01-04-12, 16:14

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

Richard Farrant · #6 01-04-12, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

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

I was afraid to mention that option Tony, in case the purists attacked me !

The 28hp Bedford engine is actually a better engine than the Chev as it has full pressure oiling to the big ends, bhp is about 72, but if you fit a late build 214 from 60/70's era, they are 100bhp for same capacity.

By the way, great to meet up with you recently

regards, Richard

gazzaw · #7 01-04-12, 22:04

Thanks for replies Guys,

Yes been searching for some time now and 1 we bought (unseen but promised it was ok) from South of England had a 14 inch crack along the casing and another (a 235) we went down to Staffordshire to collect although looked same had wrong hole pattern in crankshaft for flywheel and the castings all different for bellhousing attachment etc (this one will be resold for hot rodders if possible)

Am toying with fully stripping original (it was rebuilt in Holland in 50s with a VEGE plate on it) but it is leaking coolant into exhaust ports/manifold/ into exhaust. Suspect internal crack or leak in a place that can't be got at. It was running fine but one of our regular drivers roasted the enging and we had head checked, refurbed and ceramic lined etc but after putting it all togther it was still found to be leaking - hence need for another engine - can't see from pistons if standard or oversized so might need to get them scoped for actual sizes then look for a block etc.

Will look at putting ads into milweb and mags, had emailed Dirk on many occasions to but never got a reply.

Gary

Max Hedges · #8 05-04-12, 04:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

I was afraid to mention that option Tony, in case the purists attacked me !

The 28hp Bedford engine is actually a better engine than the Chev as it has full pressure oiling to the big ends, bhp is about 72, but if you fit a late build 214 from 60/70's era, they are 100bhp for same capacity.

By the way, great to meet up with you recently

regards, Richard

Richard we have a bedford engine fitted to a chev 4x2 and she sure runs along nicely
Max