While following yet another 194 head discussion here I was reminded of a question I have had for a while.

Could the 194 be a good choice for a high pressure turbo engine? It seems that the smaller bore size in the same size block as the 230 & 250 engines would make the block stiffer. Do the small cylinders have the same wall thickness as the larger engines? If so more rigidity? Short stroke stronger crank? Plentiful bearing surface.

What makes me wonder here is a proposed Studebaker V8 build using a 232 block and a 225 crank made a 200 CI engine strong enough to take 85 pounds of boost from twin turbos making 900 HP. I don't know if this ever was completed and I wouldn't expect that from a 194 but it might be some low buck fun.

I've only seen one 194 block and never thought of sonic checking it, but that's what would tell you a lot about its potential. The block definitely could be filled to increase cylinder wall stiffness if they are on the thin side. Being a shorter deck block than a 292, that in itself could add block rigidity. Sounds like a fun project, the 194 blocks don't have 1/2" head bolts like the 250/292 if my memory serves me right. So that could be one of the first upgrades that might be planned.....

The 194s I ever took apart in all my years had the same heads bolts as the others. As for the wall thickness I can tell you they can Not be bored to that of the 230,250s

Yeah, it seems that if the head bolts were smaller the heads might not interchange, but easy fix either way. Really no reason to change the head. With a ton of boost it will flow. To get it out to a 230 bore would be over a 1/4" in diameter (5/16"). So better than 1/8" wall thickness to remove. I'd just like to know if the walls are the same as the 230-250. I have a 250 that is .080" over and has been run that way. Maybe that is why it was given to me. And I hadn't thought if the short deck making if stiffer than a 292. Tlowe had some NOS 194 blocks maybe short blocks? That would be a good thing to start with. A stock bore would be best. Custom pistons a must & probably rods?. Maybe a 230-292 head for flow & a bit less compression? Are the rod bearings 2"?

Had 47 of the NOS 194 fitted blocks, now down to 4 of them. Guy picking up 2 on Thursday.
I do have a ultrasonic thickness checker, will fire it up and measure one of them.
BTW, all the chevy 6 194-292 use 1/2" head bolts, in fact all the bolts are same size throughout the engines.

But not the same length

We drilled the head bolt holes in the head larger to make it easier to remove the head with head studs. I think that is why I keep thinking the bolts were different sizes. The head came off every pass at the races, so larger holes makes the on/off process easier and faster between rounds...

Length? I don't see why. Aren't the heads the same thickness? I don't know.

Scott that makes sense. I remember trying to get aluminum heads off of the studs on Ford flatheads.

Tom, That would be great, Thanks! Glad you have been able to get so many 194s into circulation.

All the bolts are the same length also.
Measured the wall thickness on a NOS 194 block today. It does have rearward core shift. I can see it. Front of bore .204 rear .256 cam side .260 DS .250

Thank you! Do you know how that compares to the 230-250? What is your assessment of block strength of the 194 compared to the other short deck blocks? Any meaningful difference?

Beater, those thicknesses are as good as most of the 292 Mexican blocks that I've sonic checked.

That sounds good. I'm trying to visualize what that would mean for the space between the cylinders, water jackets oil passages, main bearing webbing......and the effect on block strength. What would be the weak point? Crank?

With that short of a stroke, the crank will have plenty of journal overlap and be pretty rigid. So at the other end of the spectrum, a 292 crank with it's long stroke and much less journal overlap can withstand over 600 HP with boost for a long while before it has any problems....

It could be a fun and relatively inexpensive project. A good set of pistons & rods and a turbo or two and see what one of these will take.

You're not thinkin' of starting another pile are you...?LOL

No, I am burying piles in the mud. Future archeologist will form ridiculous theories about how these objects were part of religious ceremonies preformed on these sacred grounds.