I have never changed from spun babbit rod bearings
and went to inserted babbit bearings (never saw the advantage), but it seems to have a following in the hobby. What is needed when this conversion is made on a 216 engine? surely something needs to be done to the crankshaft, oil passages, oil pump, pan, do you still use the dippers and troughs? I only knew of doing it on a 235 engine.

My 52 216 has insert bearings, as I understand it,nothing has changed except the machine work to the rods an drod caps to accept inserted bearings in place of the babbit. A machinist for a local company did mine for the previous owner, who stated a kit was purchased. This was done in about 1964-75 and in the 5 years I have owned the car no problems. The dipper system is still in place, oil pressure remains the same at about 2-3 pounds idle and about 14-15 at highway speeds.

The insert bearings are just so much easier to deal with. Alot less adjusting to worry about.
The babbits also had a tendacy to pound alot more also when wearing out. I highly recomend them.