GMC L39 Specs: 3.50 x 3.484 in

See other engines in this family

The same engine also has a main page: Chevrolet L39.

GMC L39 specs: 267 ci (4.4L) 8-cylinder, 3.50 x 3.484 in (88.9 x 88.5 mm) bore and stroke, 8.3:1 compression. Built 1979–1981.

The GMC 267ci (L39) is close to square: 3.5" bore against 3.484" stroke, within 0.5%, which splits the difference between a high-revving layout and a torque layout. The 3.484" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,900 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. A rod ratio of 1.636 is in the range most production engines fall in. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 33.4 ci (547 cc).

8.3:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.

2 factory variants share these dimensions across 1979–1981.

Dimensions

Displacement267 ci / 4.4 L
Bore3.5"
Stroke3.484"
Cylinders8
ConfigurationV8
Compression ratio8.3:1
Rod length5.7"
Rod ratio1.636
Bore/stroke ratio1.005

Construction

Fuel typegas
Years1979–1981

What these numbers mean

Bore/stroke character1.005 — square — bore and stroke are within 5%, a balanced compromise
Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM3,484 ft/min — conservative for a street engine
Rod ratio1.636 — moderate — the range most production V8s fall in
Displacement per cylinder33.4 ci
Static compression8.3:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel

Run the numbers for this engine

Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.

Variants sharing these dimensions (2)

These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.

YearAdvertised HPCode
1979—L39
1981—L39

What cars have the L39?

8 factory vehicles, 1979–1982. Each year opens that model's engine table.

Similar engines

← All GMC 267ci engines