What's the deal on motor building?
If I have a ____ liter bare block with a _____ bore, a _____ stroke crank, a _____ inch long rod, how do I figure up displacement? Also, how do I know what depth of piston I'd need to give the valves room?
Is there a book or a web site I could read?

 

Cubic Inch Displacement = bore x bore x stroke x number of cylinders x .7854

The piston depends on how big your cam is (duration, not lift), what your quench is, and how much free-drop your cylinder heads have, among other things.

 

bore X bore X stroke X 6.2832= cid

 

Sweet, thanks! Found a low mileage 6.0 out of a rearended pickup, and thought I might have some fun with it.

 

What do you have up your sleave t8

 

Or you coulda used the volume of a cylinder and multiplied it by 8

 

Nothing right at the moment. College is expensive, but I may or may not have a bare block on an engine stand to play with and learn on until I get some time and cash.

 

here's jrp's displacement link in his SuperFaq with the full equation. its quite accurate. i'd use that one if you want a trustworthy number.