The existing 216 turns over by hand but we haven't tried to start her. I figured for the price of rebuilding the 216 I can get a 230-250 that runs and drives and is ready to go. Regardless we would remove and prep the 216 for storage so he has all the original parts.
Welcome to the forums. If the engine isn't locked up it will probably run. Pull the spark plugs and put a few squirts of oil into each cylinder - and then turn it over by hand. This will work the oil into the rings and clean up any surface rust (if there is any). Let it sit for a couple of days and then turn it over again by hand. Then try firing it up. These engines are work horses. The easiest path forward is to run what's already there.
As for the swap to a 230/250 there is nothing straightforward about it. The fastest way to find posts on these forums is using Google with the site: keyword. Searching "site:inliners.org swapping 216 to 250" will return a good bit of reading. Tweaking the search terms slightly will get you hits on even more posts.
Long story short, the 230/250 is longer then a 216 and uses a different motor mounting approach. It cannot be mated to the stock transmission and drive-line in a passenger car. It will require an open drive-line conversion, a newer transmission, and changes to the transmission cross-member - making it just as difficult to go back to stock. The first year for open drive-line in Chevrolet is '55. A good choice if you can find one.
Beater mentioned the transmission bolt-pattern compatibility - this started in Trucks with the SM420 (top-loaded 4 speed - granny gear). Some guys have 250s cleanly bolted into old 3xxx series Trucks. This gearbox is not an option for a passenger car as the stick is just in the wrong place.
regards,
stock49
