What to do with a 216 engine block - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pvienneau · 03-13-2015, 08:39 AM

Guys, any suggestions on what to do with a 50/51 Chevy 216 engine block? The cylinders all have a ridge where the pistons stop, so instead of fixing it I opted for a 235. Now what is best option for this block. Is there a market? DO I just junk it for scrap? Any suggestions?

Sim6 · 03-13-2015, 09:22 AM

I found one sold listing on ebay where someone sold one and the 3 speed trans that didn't turn over by hand for $500. It was local pickup only.

**Dan in Pasadena** · 03-13-2015, 10:55 AM

Coffee table?

dwcsr · 03-13-2015, 12:51 PM

Part it out I usually sell these at the below prices when I get them
Manifolds 125
head 75
pan 45
valve cover 25
block to scrap 20-25 maybe 50 if it has bell and trans
Carb $65 if its working $35 if its parts
throttle pivot bolt , pivot and linkage $25

OrrieG · 03-13-2015, 01:21 PM

I would at least try and sell it to someone that wants a stock block; then part it; then scrap it. FWIW I tried off and on for 20 years to sell my 235 complete and as parts with no interest. I got tired of tripping over it and scrapped it in 2003 except for carb, dist and pulley (had a two groove pulley for AC) which seem to be parts that can always be sold.

mr48chev · 03-13-2015, 04:49 PM

Does that block happen to have the numbers on it that are on your title if you have a title that uses engine numbers rather than body tag numbers?

A ridge above the pistons that doesn't let you take the pistons out is normal, It's called a wear ridge from the rings wearing the block below it. You use a ridge reamer to cut the ridge out before taking the pistons out and then either hone the block and replace the rings if the wear isn't excessive or have the block bored and put in over size pistons if it is.

216 and 235 blocks and engines are an odd sort, they don't seem to be worth much if you are tripping over one in the garage all the time and try to sell it but guys are asking stiff money for worn out but rebuildable ones all the time on FB and craigslist. I don't know how many actually sell though. I've even got one in the back of the shed out of my brother's one ton.

On yours I think I'd throw it on Craigslist or another online market place and put a hundred or hundred and fifty bucks on it while listing it as a rebuildable short block or engine depending on the amount of parts you have. Anything you get is money to put back in your truck even if it is only enough to buy a tank of gas.

dante81_98 · 03-13-2015, 06:14 PM

I sold a 216 with 3spd for 450 on craigslist. Its now in a rat rod running around town. there is a market, but its small.

pvienneau · 03-14-2015, 06:48 AM

I never got a title and the engine has no serial numbers. Not original to truck.

03-13-2015, 08:39 AM	#1
pvienneau Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 695	What to do with a 216 engine block Guys, any suggestions on what to do with a 50/51 Chevy 216 engine block? The cylinders all have a ridge where the pistons stop, so instead of fixing it I opted for a 235. Now what is best option for this block. Is there a market? DO I just junk it for scrap? Any suggestions? __________________ Pat 1949 unmolested Indy Farm Deluxe AD 1949 Standard 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=581544

03-13-2015, 09:22 AM	#2
Sim6 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 433	Re: What to do with a 216 engine block I found one sold listing on ebay where someone sold one and the 3 speed trans that didn't turn over by hand for $500. It was local pickup only.

03-13-2015, 10:55 AM	#3
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,336	Re: What to do with a 216 engine block Coffee table? __________________ '55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda!

03-13-2015, 12:51 PM	#4
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: What to do with a 216 engine block Part it out I usually sell these at the below prices when I get them Manifolds 125 head 75 pan 45 valve cover 25 block to scrap 20-25 maybe 50 if it has bell and trans Carb $65 if its working $35 if its parts throttle pivot bolt , pivot and linkage $25

03-13-2015, 01:21 PM	#5
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: What to do with a 216 engine block I would at least try and sell it to someone that wants a stock block; then part it; then scrap it. FWIW I tried off and on for 20 years to sell my 235 complete and as parts with no interest. I got tired of tripping over it and scrapped it in 2003 except for carb, dist and pulley (had a two groove pulley for AC) which seem to be parts that can always be sold. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

03-13-2015, 04:49 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,426	Re: What to do with a 216 engine block Does that block happen to have the numbers on it that are on your title if you have a title that uses engine numbers rather than body tag numbers? A ridge above the pistons that doesn't let you take the pistons out is normal, It's called a wear ridge from the rings wearing the block below it. You use a ridge reamer to cut the ridge out before taking the pistons out and then either hone the block and replace the rings if the wear isn't excessive or have the block bored and put in over size pistons if it is. 216 and 235 blocks and engines are an odd sort, they don't seem to be worth much if you are tripping over one in the garage all the time and try to sell it but guys are asking stiff money for worn out but rebuildable ones all the time on FB and craigslist. I don't know how many actually sell though. I've even got one in the back of the shed out of my brother's one ton. On yours I think I'd throw it on Craigslist or another online market place and put a hundred or hundred and fifty bucks on it while listing it as a rebuildable short block or engine depending on the amount of parts you have. Anything you get is money to put back in your truck even if it is only enough to buy a tank of gas. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-13-2015, 06:14 PM	#7
dante81_98 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 63	Re: What to do with a 216 engine block I sold a 216 with 3spd for 450 on craigslist. Its now in a rat rod running around town. there is a market, but its small.

03-14-2015, 06:48 AM	#8
pvienneau Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 695	Re: What to do with a 216 engine block I never got a title and the engine has no serial numbers. Not original to truck. __________________ Pat 1949 unmolested Indy Farm Deluxe AD 1949 Standard 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=581544



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