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Chevrolet Blue Flame six specs: 216 ci 6-cylinder, 3.50 x 3.75 in (88.9 x 95.3 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 85-90 hp, 1937–1949.
The Chevrolet Blue Flame six is undersquare — the 3.75" stroke exceeds the 3.5" bore by 6.7% — a layout that trades peak RPM for leverage and torque low in the range. The 3.75" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,400 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 36.0 ci (590 cc).
It is one of 4 engines in the Chevrolet 216ci family, the smallest at 216 ci. 10 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 85 to 90 hp across 1937–1949.
| Displacement | 216 ci |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.5" |
| Stroke | 3.75" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | I6 |
| Compression ratio | 6.25–6.6:1 (published figures vary) |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.933 |
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 85–90 hp |
| Years | 1937–1949 |
| Bore/stroke character | 0.933 — undersquare — stroke exceeds bore, which favours low-end torque |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,750 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Displacement per cylinder | 36.0 ci |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 85 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1938 | 85 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1939 | 85 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1940 | 85 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1941 | 90 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1942 | 90 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1946 | 90 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1947 | 90 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1948 | 90 hp | Blue Flame six |
| 1949 | 90 hp | Blue Flame six |
1 factory vehicle, 1937–1949. Each year opens that model's engine table.