Dropped the pan on Faye the Chevrolet... it was BAD.

[Action Girl]

On the advice of some HAMB folks Dad dropped the pan on Faye's knocking 216 in an attempt to buy us some time for the 235 engine swap until fall.

The knock was coming from #3 and he dropped the pan where we found all sorts of sparkly flakes of metal in the bottom. Fun Fun!

Once we got in there we soon realized that Faye has been limped along many times in the past and we are officially out of options. There wasn't a single shim left on any of the bearings and one even had an insert from a past repair. There wasn't even any babbitt left on some of the bearings. A friend came over and took a look and gave the old tired 216 a death sentence. She's dead and not worth fixing, even in the short term.

I took some pictures of the shredded babbitt bearings, the junk in the pan AND also of my new 235 that was picked up on Saturday. It came already primered and just barely escaped raspberry paint! (Who says that a cracked head can't be a GOOD thing?)

So... looks like we'll be doing the engine swap much sooner than expected. Thanks for everyone who posted ideas about limping her along, unfortunately she's been limping for far too long.

Stacey

I'll post the pics later for your amusement as they are on Dad's camera at the moment.

[jalopy43]

That's very sad news indeed Stacey! My condolences.Looks like you will be busy with the rebuild soon? Glenn

[Fat Hack]

Them 216s go down hard every time...you should be ALOT happier and cruise alot longer once ya get the pressure oiled 235 in there...I ain't no Stovebolt fan, but you got the best one to use if you're GONNA use one...I'll be keepin' my fingers crossed for ya!

[DrJ]

People have been known to run hunks of hard leather belt or bridle leather for bearings in them Chevys just to get them thru next payday...might be fun to see if it works since ya got nothin to lose otherwise! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Action Girl]

The funniest thing about your leather suggestion is the fact that my grandfather was in the garage telling us stories about fixing a model A with a piece of belt leather this morning! hahhaaa

Stacey

[Slag Kustom]

i think any one thats around cars long enough has heard the"i used a piece of my belt to fix a spun bearing" story

[hotrod54chevy]

boy...this story reminds me of when the 350 in my chevy blew..we pulled the valve covers off and 2 push rods were stickin straight up.they both came out along with the lifters,but the 2nd lifter broke in half coming out..then when we pulled the motor and took the pan off,there was a nice pile of pulp at the bottom,and,upon turning the engine upside down to get it on a pallet,i noticed how nicely chewed up the underside was..looked like a metal munchin chipmunk went crazy in there.sorry to hear about your blow out.hope you have fun with the new engine.
Creepy

[ponchobilly]

If you need anything from the midwest (as mentioned in an earlier post), the offer still stands. Don't be afraid to ask.
Good luck!
Bil