The 216 engine in my 50 chevy has a block casting number "GM3 3835849" and a head casting number "GM3835517". These casting numbers apparently refer to a 52/53 216. When I unbolted a connecting rod, I found that it has insert bearings and not babbitt. Did the 216 ever come with insert bearings? Maybe in 53? I did see some Internet references to a kit, from long ago, for converting from babbitt to insert.
Also, as a side note, the engine serial number "DR140622CAL" doesn't match up to any Chevy 216 serial number prefix data I could find on several Internet sites. Just trying to figure out what I have.

Hi D Winn . . .

The block and head suggest a '50-51 216. The head is Hollander number 440 and block is Hollander number 8.

There is no such thing as a '53 216 - at least not in a car. In that year, stick shift cars were shipped with the same engine that came in a'52 power-glide car but with solid lifters.

The insert bearings are unusual on any dipper-oiled engine. The first time the factory shipped insert rod bearings was on the '53 power-glide cars. This was an all new engine with a drilled crank and full pressure oil to the connecting rods.

I don't recognize the serial number either.

regards,
stock49

I thought the '50 or so cars got inserts and the '53 Powerglide cars got full pressure oiling?

Hi Nexxussian . . .

I don't believe that babbit rods went away until full pressure oil made the scene. But rods could be converted by a machine shop so inserts could be fitted. But it implied specific machining on the crank throws because shims should not be used with inserts.

D Winn . . .

I did a little more leg work. It appears that Chevy continued to ship the 216 on trucks through '53:
Old Car Manual Project .

So based on a little reverse engineering from my Master Parts catalog ('49) and my Hollander Interchange ('52) I am surmising the following 'rough' progression on 216 castings:
'49 3835253 (in my '49)
'50 3835497 (in a '50 I almost bought)
'51 3835527
'52 3835794
'53 3835849 (trucks only? which is what you've apparently got)

So perhaps your original hunch is correct. Not sure if the factory fitted those insert rods - but they would have certainly been available.

regards,
stock49

Appreciate all the input. I posted this same question to some other forums and was told that the engine was probably converted to inserts. There was even an old post with a catalog that had a conversion kit you could buy. Also, part of that same post talked about converting the oil system to a pressure system by drilling the crank. There apparently are machine shops that do this. Learning a lot more as I go along!