Chevs C60 and C15

[Mike K]

"so now I am putting one together using the clearing sale block, but all the parts from the recon engine"

That sounds like a good plan , the slipper bearings are so much easier to deal with. The 216 was a common engine in its day, it went through a few upgrades from 1937 to the early 1950s, so be aware that there are some parts that don't fit all of the years i.e. different heads for the domed or flat top pistons is one, and different valve lengths. ON EPAY there are many NOS 216 parts still available but the shipping cost is so high at the moment. Just next door here there was a 1950 Chevy ute wreck, I should have salvaged the engine from it, might still be there.

I will have a look at the Pistons I have and see how many there are, you can also try the big USA suppliers like Jim Carter and Chevs of the 40's but they may not sell just one piston out of a set. With my C8, it is standard bore and I just re-used the original cast iron pistons and fitted chrome faced rings. It now has a loose wrist pin that knocks , I plan on pulling it apart, I have a new Aluminium timing gear and new valve guides and a set of Aluminium pistons

[Rod Salter]

The bench is clear and it looks more like an engine
Generator, starter and water pump to be cleaned
I have been given a flywheel and a front pulley
That is about as far as I go until the piston is sorted and
all these parts go in the molasses for 6 to 8 weeks
I'll put the gearbox in too

After that I can do the spare parts into an engine
I have only 5 pistons/con-rods [30 thou and 4 rings cast iron] for it as well, as I posted one cylinder would have to be sleeved
At least most of the parts won't get lost

[Rod Salter]

The gearbox came apart easily and is not as bad as it first looked
It has had the loose tail-shaft bolts drama, nice brazing repair

Then I brought the Bedford engine in
Undid the 4 bolts holding the head on
cylinders heavily coated in grease
Started sorting valves, springs, retainers colletts and bolts
Something was not adding up for the bolts
After a bit, I realised this head is a Chevy, I mean, how come it was on this engine?
Ah well, Might need a spare head some day
During the night I seem to recollect a oily head in a hessian bag, I wonder?
It is probably lost in the shed


A minus 10 black frost here a few weeks ago has killed most plants, the mandarins all fell off, the lemon tree lost most of its leaves. And the worms in the worm farm have vanished

Can't stand the dry heat, but glad I don't live where it snows

I must get back to fixing mowers, cleaning up and other priories rod