C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Deck Height

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 30, 2004 | 09:13 PM
  #1  
Oldguard 7's Avatar
Oldguard 7
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Default Deck Height

Can someone explain what deck height is and how to measure it.
I would like to caculate my compression ratio for the current set
up I have and what it would be with different heads.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2004 | 09:54 PM
  #2  
bobs77vet's Avatar
bobs77vet
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Default

Originally Posted by Oldguard 7
Can someone explain what deck height is and how to measure it.
I would like to caculate my compression ratio for the current set
up I have and what it would be with different heads.

i'm out of town and i can't reference this....but since no one is chiming in i think its the distance between piston TDC and the top of the cylinder block....where the gasket would go in between head and block....measure it by moving piston to TDC and put a straight ruler across the cylinder and measure down....then use a volume formula to calculate volume...something llike distance x diameter (check this formula can't remember for sure) then you take head volume and add something for gasket thickness apply a formula an voila you have an answer....clear as mud.....
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2004 | 10:02 PM
  #3  
Jughead's Avatar
Jughead
Senior Member since 1492
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,915
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

If the piston is siting down in the cylinder, below the block deck, then the piston is "in the hole." That would be taken as a negative number....ie.. -0.005

Level with the block deck is "zero" (0) deck.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2004 | 10:10 PM
  #4  
442olds's Avatar
442olds
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Default

deck height is the distance from the crank centerline to the top of the block. This uses a special tool to measure it precisley. The other measurement you need is the length of the rotating assembly which is the 1/2 the stroke + connecting rod length + the compression height of the piston (distance from wrist pin centerline to top of piston)

You subtract these two dimensions and add the gasket thickness to get the quench height.

Typical Deck heights for the small block is 9.025 and the big block is 9.8. But you should have a machine shop check the deck and make sure its flat. They may have to cut a few thousands off the top which will affect your calculations.

Download this spreadsheet and enter everything in the that is colored yellow, http://www.et-motorsports.cc/tech/en...uild_sheet.xls

Good luck.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 11:43 AM
  #5  
stingr69's Avatar
stingr69
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,458
Likes: 1,484
From: Little Rock AR
Default

The dimension you desire is measured with the piston at top dead center. You need to measure down from the top of the block to the top flat surface of the piston you are going to be using. This dimension is used to calculate static compression ratio. It can easily vary from one cylinder to another depending on the tolerance of all the pieces but you are striving to have them all the same.

-Mark.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2004 | 11:48 AM
  #6  
EDDIEJ82's Avatar
EDDIEJ82
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 6
From: FRANKLIN GA
Default

Another forum member gave me an easy way to measure how far the piston is from the deck.

Lay a straight edge across the bore, and measure with feeler gauges when the piston is at TDC
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Deck Height





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:59 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE