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Buick 1979 196 105HP specs: 196 ci (3.2L) 6-cylinder, 3.50 x 3.40 in (88.9 x 86.4 mm) bore and stroke, 9.921:1 compression. Rated 105 hp, 1979.
The Buick 1979 196 105HP is close to square: 3.5" bore against 3.4" stroke, within 2.9%, which splits the difference between a high-revving layout and a torque layout. The 3.4" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,050 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.753 is long by production standards — less side-load on the cylinder wall and gentler piston acceleration around TDC, the geometry that tolerates high RPM. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 32.7 ci (535 cc).
9.921:1 on iron heads is in the range that usually runs on pump premium; iron holds heat, so treat it as the less forgiving side of that range.
It is one of 2 engines in the Buick 196ci family, all of them 196 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement.
| Displacement | 196 ci / 3.2 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.5" |
| Stroke | 3.4" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | I6 |
| Compression ratio | 9.921:1 |
| Rod length | 5.96" |
| Rod ratio | 1.753 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.029 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 105 hp |
| Years | 1979 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.029 — square — bore and stroke are within 5%, a balanced compromise |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,400 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.753 — long — less side loading on the cylinder wall, favours high RPM |
| Displacement per cylinder | 32.7 ci |
| Static compression | 9.921:1 — in the range that usually runs on pump premium |
| Chamber volume | 42.7 cc |
|---|---|
| Rocker ratio | 1.55:1 |
| Lifter type | hydraulic |
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