I also agree with Rusty replace the seals at both ends of the motor while you have all this great open air access. The later versions with a full oil pressure crankshaft oiling system and insert rod and main bearings were even better. Do you know what this came out of ? The old 216's as well as the 235's were really good engines and would take a lot of abuse just not a lot of high rpm's. Then of course there is the crankshaft pulley single old wide vee belt and the still usable hand crank ears. The front timing plate mount says '40-'50 passenger car mount while the mount on the trans and the rear trans shaft cover say pickup. The bell housing is out of a pickup truck(wide trans mount pattern) and it has been converted from a floor starter(holes in the upper bell housing) to a button or key. Model Identification Charts, Serial Number & Cowl Tag Locations, Paint, Trim & Engine Codes for U.S.
I have to agree with misterc9 it has all the earmarks of a 216 although some of the early 235's were long side-plate on the distributor side. 1929 - 1958 Chevrolet Model Identification.
