Is there a shortage of 216 Engines?

[Richard Farrant]

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]

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

[Mike K]

I used to correspond ( by snail mail , before this internet came along ) with a Chevy C8 restorer who lived up near Lancaster in the NE of England . From what he told me , Chev 216 engines and parts are not exactly common in the UK . I sent him a few items but he was always asking for any 216 parts , ancillaries like carbies, water pumps etc. He got a set of the UPTONS of Corowa pistons too . Remember the crates of them they had . MIKE

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Gary

Sorry you got burned getting the wrong engine size/model. ALL 235 and 261 6 cyl. GM engines should bolt right up to the 216 bellhousing... you might have a later 1960 era 230 or 250 6 cyl..... totally a different casting.

If the crankshaft was designed for an automatic transmission it may not be drilled for a typical flywheel but can be drilled by a machine shop while the engine is getting rebuilt....also will need a pilot bearing/bushing insert in the rear of the crank to support the tranny input shaft.

Consider ahving your old block properly magnaflux .... it should tell you where the leak is and whether it can be pinned and welded.

Be persistant with Dirk .... is regular business keeps him very busy .... he might be able to import a good Canadian block for you in his occasional container shipment from Canada.

Maybe we should consider filling up a sea container full of GM 216/235/261 and see if we can make some money.....hahaha

Don't give up yet.... half the fun is in the chase !!!!!

Bob

[gazzaw]

Thanks Bob (and others)

Yes one will turn up, am chasing one at moment but promised photos of it still to materialise- at least it is in UK but on south coast.

Really want to get the wrecker on road again as it's been too long (2 years now) and fear that rest of components will deteriorate with non use etc. will keep you posted

Gary

[Bob Carriere]

..... get the serial numbers and casting numbers..... post them on the web and search the serial numbers both on the block and on the head.....

Good luck

Bob

[Max Hedges]

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

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Max Hedges

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

Hi Max,

I have to admit to be biased towards Bedfords !

How did the trip after Corowa go?

regards, Richard

[Pete Ashby]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hi Max,

I have to admit to be biased towards Bedfords !

How did the trip after Corowa go?

regards, Richard

Tut Tut Mr Farrant

[US6]

Out of left field, but I'm pretty sure an early Toyota Land Cruiser engine will bolt straight up as well. Of course, that might be harder to find in the UK than a Chev.

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by US6

Out of left field, but I'm pretty sure an early Toyota Land Cruiser engine will bolt straight up as well. Of course, that might be harder to find in the UK than a Chev.

I had a C60S with that engine, it was a nice fit and power to weight ratio. The carby was a bit large to fit inside the engine cover. It came to me with that engine fitted and I believe there were a couple of holes which needed to be drilled somewhere to make it fit.

[Richard Farrant]

At least a Bedford engine is a GM product....... but a Toyota

[Max Hedges]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hi Max,

I have to admit to be biased towards Bedfords !

How did the trip after Corowa go?

regards, Richard

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

[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