350 Deck Height

[Dan Gerber]

Does anyone out there know what the deck height should be for a Buick 350 engine? If not, does anyone know where I can find the information? I couldn't find it in the Dove book ("Guide to Buick Performance Engines"), and no one in the Buick Performance e-group could help me, so I'm stumped.

Thanks in advance,

[GSXMEN]

If you were to get your deck/piston clearance down to .005" or less - you would probably wind up with about 10.14". Stock should be around 10.18". These aren't 'exact' numbers, but should get you in the ballpark.

If you add the comp. height, rod length, and half the stroke - you will get the deck height minus the built in clearance from the factory (usually around .050"). That comes out to 10.135", BTW.

Hope that helps.

Scott

[Mark Demko]

Deck height on a 350 Buick ranges between .050 to .055 in the hole. This is what I measured on my 71 and 78 block.
You have to mock up the block with 4 pistons, one in each corner to check for sure.
I had my 71 block decked .030, and the 78 block decked .050 to achieve .005 deck height. The less deck height you have, the better its suppose to be for combustion, more quench area.
I dont remember the piston part number im running now, (Sterling pistons) but at .020 deck height, its suppose to be 9.8 to 1
My heads are also milled .030 Mark

[Dan Gerber]

Thanks for the info, Scott. That's exactly what I was looking for. If I read your answer correctly the deck height (i.e., distance from crank centerline to the head mating surface of the block) of the Buick 350 block should be 10.185".

Sorry if I misled you, Mark. I should have defined "deck height" (as I just did in the previous paragraph) to avoid sending people off in the wrong direction.

Thanks again for the responses, guys. If anyone elso wants to add their 2-cents worth go ahead. You can always contact me at danjudy@pacbell.net if you don't want to clog up this site.

[GSXMEN]

Yep, should be in that neighborhood +/- a little.

Scott