Is there a shortage of 216 Engines?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Max Hedges

Richard the trip went well we all had a really good time, came across some challenges on the Humffray River Track , we had to clear the track of fallen trees and cross some fairly deep river crossings, the water wouldn't have been very far off the distributor in the ford blitz which ws a little bit of a worry. One track was too washed out so we had to turn around and try another way.

Max

hi Max,

Sounds like an interesting trip, hope all the vehicles survived without any dramas.

[gazzaw]

Will get the casting numbers this weekend and search for compatibles. Reason we never chased bedfords was we thought it wouldn't bolt in there and we would need to change too much to get it to work, clutch, eng mountings etc at least it is GM product.

Gary

[gazzaw]

some photos of original engine casting numbers, apologies for some poor blurred images.

Casting numbers etc read GM 839253 A or 4-20-3 023
Engine Number PR 3885165 and the V.E.G.E. plate No 61751

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gary

Could you tell us again what you have tried to determine where the water leak is? The reason I ask is that there are not a whole lot of places to have an internal leak. May be some one will have a bright idea about a simple check and hopefully a fix.

Short of disassembling I have done air pressure test check on blocks and heads before taking them to the machine shop to be magnifluxed. In this way found the obviously junk blocks.

Besides it would be a shame to find a new block only to discover it was the head that was the culprit.

Now as to your block casting number 839253 it doesn't show up in any of my casting number source list all US lists, no surprise, now who in our little group has found the online list of Canadian GM casting numbers?

Cheers Phil

[gazzaw]

Hi Phil

we are thinking it is between water jacket and into exhaust ports, have had the head tested and ceramic lined as well as skimmed but still leaks after rebuild so thinking it must be in block somewhere so perhaps a pressure or vacuum test next. doesn't seem to be much else wrong with it as everything else was running fine except leak into exhaust. limited workshop and no specialist equipment but cannot afford to keep rebuilding and installing into vehicle only to find same fault etc.

Gary

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Gary

If the water leak is to the exhaust I'm just about convinced that your problem has to be in the head not the block. Heads are easier to find a year ago I know a source that had 25 NOS heads that would fit your engine but you would have to replace the pistons as the heads are the US version designed for flat top pistons not the domed pistons.

Ok the rest of you guys who know 216s chime in with the best way to confirm.

Cheers Phil

[gazzaw]

Thanks Phil

The pistons on this engine are flat headed so might it be US? Also photo of head and the head gasket where it shows damage in No 2 cylinder where water had originally been leaking from exhaust port. After refurb on head and refitting it was still leaking through port making us think it is block now.

Gary