VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 216 Engine,

Gentlemen, I just repainted my engine in Correct colour as supplied by Chevy of the 40's. Would like any comments regarding correctness and any short commings as built. THanks

http://groups.msn.com/OtherChevCarsLive/ronfromcanada.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3368
http://groups.msn.com/OtherChevCarsLive/ronfromcanada.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3370
http://groups.msn.com/OtherChevCarsLive/ronfromcanada.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3369
http://groups.msn.com/OtherChevCarsLive/ronfromcanada.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3371

Three areas that I would note-
The distributor housing is black.
The band on the generator should be black or a dark "blued" finish.
The generator pulley is too "bright".Should be either a black oxide finish or black paint.The rear end frame of the generator should be black if cast iron or natural if white metal.
If the Canadian cars had some brand of generator other than a Delco I could be wrong.I know they used some Auto-Lite eletricals.
Is that a 1951 Canadian 216?...the air cleaner is also different from a US car.

All in all I would give it an A

Never having seen a Canadian 216 I'm puzzled by the side pan. So, Canadian 216's have a short side pan like the USA 235's?

Scott Andrews

From what I have learned the 1951 and up Canadian 216 and 235 engines used the block.

NOS FAN BELT :eek: :eek:

THAT IS FANTASTIC!!! IM JEALOUS....

EXCEPT FOR THE FEW MINOR AREAS GENE POINTED OUT, THE ENGINE LOOKS GREAT RON!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

A little fan belt history-
The 838282 fan belt number was discontinued 8-1-43 and changed to 609034.So would be correct only on 1937-42 engines.Some where around 1946 it was changed again.This time to 3680776.That number stuck around till the end.The 3680776 came thru as a slotted (inside) or V notch belt in 1952 with no number change.The belts in the '40's and up had the part number moulded on the outter part of the belt.If I remember correctly the belts were made by either Dayton or Gates.
The number and BFG on the belt look like some one is trying to make and sell a reproduction.I don't recall BF Goodrich supplying fan belts and prior to WW II they went by just Goodrich with no BF.
Another common painting error.The generator adjusting brace was painted engine color as its bolted on with the water pump bolt and was installed before the engine was painted.This is true up thru the V8 years also...The bracket is orange on a 1957 283 as an example.

The other Canadian engine feature is the Fitting???-on the left side of the block behind the water pump.Can't remember what it was for.

THanks for the input gents. THe engine block is actualy a 51 GM replacement engine installed under warrenty (or parts sales). I believe Chevy Nut and I have discussed this briefly a long time ago. It was cast at Dominion Foundry (Thus the "D" cast in the side), they did all the Parts sales castings for GM. Mckinnen casts the original instal engines. It has the 216 bore and stroke and uses the 216 head gasket and most of the others as well {THis info thanks to Mr. Hayward).
THe fan belt I bought at a parts meet years ago rummaging through a pile of new aftermarket belts in a dusty box and my Canadian GM parts book lists it as the correct part for 37 to 51 engines (only 3 bucks if I recal). In Canada it seems we get a hodge podge of stuff carried over for years while the US makes changes. Oh! the fitting on the L. side of the engine behind the generator is a piriod GM block heater installed at the time I would expect. Not an unusual option up here.

Interesting stuff, all of it; thanks for posting the pictures, Ron!

Scott Andrews