Chevy Production 60 degree - V6 Engine
In 1980 Chevy introduced a new V6
engine design with 60 degrees (deg.) between the two cylinder banks. This design had two
advantages; it produced a true even fire engine using a standard common journal crankshaft
and it produced a slightly narrower engine. The 1980 design was also the first Chevy all
metric engine design. The new engine has a deck height (centerline of crankshaft to
cylinder deck measured along the centerline of the bore) of 224.0 mm (8.819") and a
height (centerline of crankshaft to top of engine along the center of the 60 deg. V) of
236.0 mm (9.291"). Cylinders are spaced on 111.8 mm (4.40") centers on each bank
and the centers of cylinders on the two banks are offset to accommodate the two connecting
rods on each crank journal. The 60 deg. V6 is unique among all Chevy motors since the
right hand cylinder bank is offset ahead of the left hand cylinder bank when viewed from
the rear of the engine. Cylinders are numbered 1-3-5 and 2-4-6 from the front on the right
and left banks respectively.
The 2.8L (173 cid) engine was produced from 1980 to 1989. In 1990 the
3.1L (191 cid) engine was introduced and in 1991 displacement was increased to 3.4L (207
cid). The 60 deg. V6 is used in both transverse (front wheel drive) and longitudinal (rear
wheel drive) configurations. The 2.8 liter engine was fires introduced in the 1980
Citation and the rear wheel drive version was optional on the 1982 S10 pickup and Blazer.
Below is a table of the main dimensions for all production 60 deg. - V6
Chev engines from 1978 to present :
| L/CID |
Years |
Bore |
Stroke |
Block Material |
Actual CID |
Litres |
Main Bearing |
| 2.8/173 |
80-89 |
3.50 |
2.99 |
Cast Iron |
172.6 |
2.83 |
2 bolt |
| 3.1/191 |
90-94 |
3.50 |
3.31 |
Cast Iron |
191.1 |
3.13 |
2 bolt |
| 3.4/207 |
91-94 |
3.62 |
3.31 |
Cast Iron |
204.4 |
3.35 |
2 bolt |
- 80-84 engines have 63.35 mm (2.494") main bearings
- 85-94 engines have 67.25 mm (2.648") main bearings
- In 1982 no.3 main bearing was changed to 63.13 mm and enlarged to 67.25 mm in 1985
- Rod journals are 1.998 to 1.999"
- DOHC introduced in 1991 for 3.4 L; OHV introduced in 1993
- All 60 deg. V6 engines have rod length of 5.70" (same as small block V8’s).
- Firing order on all 60 deg. - V6 engines is 1-2-3-4-5-6
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