VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 1946 Chev. Truck Engine Rebuild

I am in process of selecting an engine rebuilder for my 216. Differing opinions regarding rod bearings have surfaced. Some are recommending re-babbitting and others are saying inserts are the only way to go. I am restoring the truck to stock, but this quandary is becoming tiresome. What is the best way to proceed? Also does the dipper oil system provide adequate oil to inserts? I was under the impression that inserts were best served with higher oil pressure. I want to retain the 216 and not go to the 235. Finally is line boring best or as some suggest not necessary. HELP!

I will put my 2 cents in here. If the dipper system was not adequate Chevrolet would not have kept using it from 1929-53. I think that the 216 is a great motor just like it is, and will last a long time if used and maintained as it was designed.

But the question was Bruce, are there any lubrication problems when the rods are fitted with the insert bearings instead of babbit. I've never hear of a problem and all of the engine rebuilders that I've run into are in favor of it. I can't see where dipper oiling would be any different with an insert over a babbit if it done properly.
I whole heatedly agree with Bruce on the reliability of the 216 as it was designed. Mine has been given dependable service for 58 years to it's various owners and I'm sure that it had had it's share of abuse in that time.
I think the problems people have with the 216 surfaces when they are over reved or run at high RPM for long periods of time.
Obviously if you looking to hot rod you engine the logical choice would be to go with the full pressure 235.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Most engine rebuilders have never done a babbitt engine and don't really know how to do one or have the equipment to do the job right. They know how to deal with precision bearings (inserts that do not need to be accurately sized to fit correctly) but not machine to fit. So it is not surprising that they will recommend inserts. Do they also recommend modern inserts for the crankshaft bearings? If not, why not? If it is good for the rods, why not the mains? If yes where do they get the bearings?

I would take a lengthy article to do an accurate comparison of insert versus Babbitt bearings. I have thought about writing one but so far have not taken the time. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

I think Jim Carter sells converted 216 short blocks and if you ever decide to go to a 235 use a 54 motor as its easy to make look like a 216 and you dont have to worry about the water pump. Jeff

I guess ya got me again Chipper, Here all along I thought those shells were insert bearings in the mains on my 1950, 216. As a matter of fact I though those were inserts in the mains from the ’29 all the way up to modern day.
Most decent auto machine shops can do the “precision” re-machining to convert a rod to take a bearing insert. When you compare the cost of rebabitting a rod compared to converting to an insert bearing there just simply is no comparison. Is it going to last as long one might ask??? Well I don’t recall ever having to tear down one of my drivers for bearings and I’ve put well over 150,000 hard miles on every one that me, my wife and kids have had over the last couple of decades. So I would say that insert bearings are pretty much bullet proof over all.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Many years ago I rebuilt my '39 216 and at that time, Federal Mogul had rods with inserts. In undersizes to fit a reground crank. I was driving that car to work in the city and occasionally I drove it to the mountains or the beach at 55mph. It had the 4.22 gears. In nine years I used it as regular transportation, it ran fine with no bearing trouble using 10/30 oil. Then I moved to a suburb and the tail lights/turn signals/black paint, just weren't visible so I bought a new car with modern safety devices and the '39 became my club car.....As I remember, the mains and cam bearings were precision inserts, too.

Regarding the main bearings in a 216. They are insert bearings.
I remember rebuilding a 216 in the late 1950's and you could buy undersize inserts for the mains. And at that time you could buy poured babbit rods undersize at your FLAPS.
Cleon