C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

Engine Squench Question??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 1, 2008 | 07:53 PM
  #1  
Corbrastang's Avatar
Corbrastang
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Default Engine Squench Question??

So i started to assemle the 327 chevy corvette block and the pistons stick up about .015 to .020 above the deck. The gasket i have is .039 thick. If there isnt any interference with the heads will i be ok running these gaskets since the engine will only have a .019" squench?? I think technically it is suppose to be around .030-.035 from the advice i have received on this forum

Thanks
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 08:48 PM
  #2  
Hitch's Avatar
Hitch
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Default

You will need to go with a thicker head gasket unless you have some major reliefs in your pistons...
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 09:41 PM
  #3  
hpexpatriot's Avatar
hpexpatriot
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: Torrington Ct
Default

Originally Posted by Corbrastang
So i started to assemle the 327 chevy corvette block and the pistons stick up about .015 to .020 above the deck. The gasket i have is .039 thick. If there isnt any interference with the heads will i be ok running these gaskets since the engine will only have a .019" squench?? I think technically it is suppose to be around .030-.035 from the advice i have received on this forum

Thanks
Squench??? Quench
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 10:29 PM
  #4  
Pop Chevy's Avatar
Pop Chevy
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,441
Likes: 1,255
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

You have WHAT ??? I think you mean squish. .040 is optimum. Above .060 you loose, under .030 you loose.
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 10:33 PM
  #5  
Pop Chevy's Avatar
Pop Chevy
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,441
Likes: 1,255
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Hey, wait a minute ! You sure you are not checking it with piston rock ? You need to measure that right at the wrist pin centerline. Either that or someone decked the heck out of it.
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 11:55 PM
  #6  
Corbrastang's Avatar
Corbrastang
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Default

I dont think i understand how to measure. I was just putting a feeler gauge up next to the installed piston.

Here are a few pictures



Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 12:33 AM
  #7  
rene-paul's Avatar
rene-paul
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 99
From: Captain Cook Hawaii
Default

If you are assembling this engine; please buy the book on How to Rebuild the Small-Block Chevrolet by Larry Atherton and Larry Schreib.
Please refer to chapter 7 pre-assembly, page 106. You must grasp and calculate the relationship of your piston to deck height with the head and valvetrain that you are using, to establish the optimum gasket thickness along with calculating your compression ratio. This book and this forum will answer all of your questions. No guesswork!
brgds
rene
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 12:40 AM
  #8  
Corbrastang's Avatar
Corbrastang
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Default

I dont have that one, but a lot of others.
I've been reading up online and it appears that my feeler gauge method should give me an accurate measurement considering that the piston tops are sticking up past the deck. If they were down inside the bores i would need to use another method, but they are not.

Yes the block has been decked to hell and back. Long long story that i really dont feel like typing again.

If my measurements are correct i will need a thick head gasket.
I'm getting a measurement of .030 at the top of the piston and .025 at the bottom-wow!
So, i assume i will need around a .060 head gasket.

After i get this all figured out should i use
a. copper

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...=FOG-909364175


or

b. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...t=FPP-1144-061

The copper units are less expensive.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old May 2, 2008 | 09:17 AM
  #9  
Allcoupedup's Avatar
Allcoupedup
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 5
From: Wheaton IL
Default

What will a .060 gasket do to your compression ratio? Did you recalc your compression ratio with this new piston/deck height?


If you're going to do it, I think you might need to enter -.030 into the calculator. As a point of reference, my piston/deck height was from .042 to .032 IN THE HOLE.

A quick calc tells me your heads combustion chamber volume should be closer to 70 than 60. I don't remember what you're going to run but it shouldn't be stock double humps unless they have had some work done to them.

Brian
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 09:39 AM
  #10  
Injected Stingray's Avatar
Injected Stingray
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
Likes: 11
Default

Originally Posted by Corbrastang
So i started to assemle the 327 chevy corvette block and the pistons stick up about .015 to .020 above the deck. The gasket i have is .039 thick. If there isnt any interference with the heads will i be ok running these gaskets since the engine will only have a .019" squench?? I think technically it is suppose to be around .030-.035 from the advice i have received on this forum

Thanks
You will need a gasket that's at least .060". The reason your getting a different reading from the top to the bottom is the piston is rocking In the bore. You can rock it back and forth until the readings are the same form top to bottom and that will be a closer way to get a ballpark reading. I see your using a roller cam. You need to mock up the assembly and clay the tops of your pistons to check for adequate valve to piston clearance.
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 09:58 AM
  #11  
Vipermike's Avatar
Vipermike
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 17
From: Rowlett, TX
Default

You need a minimum of about .029" piston to head clearance to prevent high rpm contact.
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 09:59 AM
  #12  
Pop Chevy's Avatar
Pop Chevy
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,441
Likes: 1,255
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

You see the straight line at the valve relief pockets? That's where you should be measuring deck height. You SHOULD be using a depth mike, but will be close with feelers guage. The proper way to fix this is to cut the tops of the pistons. BUT, you can get away with a thicker head gasket. It's also a good idea to check your valve to piston clearance.
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 05:59 PM
  #13  
Scott Marzahl's Avatar
Scott Marzahl
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
Default

You can lay steel machinist rule on edge across the top of the piston where "Pop" said to measure and take your readings with your feeler gauge.

With the deck cut to sh*t, and I recall the heads being milled too, the .060" Fel Pros will help get your head to intake geometry back where it belongs, hopefully allowing you to get a good intake gasket seal. If not, then you are looking at milling your intake to fit. Granted, milling off the piston tops is the "correct" way to fix it but the thicker gasket will be fine.

As stated, really check your valve clearance to those pistons with some clay since you are using a higher lift roller. You are going to have to use a solid roller lifter or open one of those hydraulics up and shim it so it doesn't compress.

This greatly explains why your first pistons were cut so much, to get them into the block. With the measurements you have given, your block has been decked .055"-.060", I'm surprised you were even able to get the intake to seal to the heads very well.

Last edited by Scott Marzahl; May 2, 2008 at 08:27 PM.
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 10:37 PM
  #14  
rene-paul's Avatar
rene-paul
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 99
From: Captain Cook Hawaii
Default

Felpro used to have spacers; I think they were called Head Savers. They would restore deck to head quench ability if the block was decked and the heads were milled. Do your math. Lots of options.
As Scott mentioned; intake manifold may also require proper adjustment.
brgds
rene
Reply
Old May 5, 2008 | 09:19 PM
  #15  
Corbrastang's Avatar
Corbrastang
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Default

These copper gaskets will give me a space of .034.
Should i go with them instead of spacers and gaskets.

If i have to use spacers then i will need 2 gaskets per side which will equal a higher chance of blowing a head gasket etc.

These look nice, but i am not sure what this means-can someone explain

Notes: Gasket hads valve reliefs, 4.365 inch diameter relief position.

Thanks


http://store.summitracing.com/partde...=FOG-909364175
Reply
Old May 5, 2008 | 10:33 PM
  #16  
muncieman's Avatar
muncieman
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 1
From: Frederick Md
Default

Originally Posted by Corbrastang
These copper gaskets will give me a space of .034.
Should i go with them instead of spacers and gaskets.

If i have to use spacers then i will need 2 gaskets per side which will equal a higher chance of blowing a head gasket etc.

These look nice, but i am not sure what this means-can someone explain

Notes: Gasket hads valve reliefs, 4.365 inch diameter relief position.

Thanks


http://store.summitracing.com/partde...=FOG-909364175
I see roller lifters in that baby, how much lift do you have and have you given any thought to piston to valve clearence??? The exhaust will be the one that hits, it chases the piston down the bore on the exhaust stroke. You bee a bare minimum of .080 and .100 would be better.
Reply
Old May 5, 2008 | 11:35 PM
  #17  
Corbrastang's Avatar
Corbrastang
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Default

The cam has .492 lift on the exhaust and intake-218 duration on both and 112 lobe seperation.

I am using these pistons

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku


I will definately test the piston to valve clearance with clay.

These are the same pistons used in this article. I purchased these since they have larger reliefs and only have two valve reliefs rather than the 4.

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/...ine/index.html

Thanks
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Engine Squench Question??

Old May 6, 2008 | 12:01 AM
  #18  
buns's Avatar
buns
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 704
Default


Bad link.
Reply
Old May 6, 2008 | 08:20 AM
  #19  
Corbrastang's Avatar
Corbrastang
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Default

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...=FOG-909364175
Reply
Old May 6, 2008 | 07:04 PM
  #20  
Corbrastang's Avatar
Corbrastang
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Default

When i calculate the compression ratio with
at

4.06 bore
4.175 diameter .064 thick head gasket
3.25 stroke
67cc heads
-5 cc pistons
piston to deck heigth .03 above the deck

i get a 9.6:1 compression ratio
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:54 AM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE