Quote:

the piston deck hieghts vary from -.0039 to -.0082, the head gasket is a Cometic .041 MLS so I assumed that I had plenty of clearances, the piston edges say no I don't see severe conatct, just some light contact on the pistons and a tiny bit on the head or the lack of carbon on the head maybe.I'm sure piston rock at TDC has something to do with this that I'm not understanding



Your measurements of .0039 to .0082 - were they rocking the piston back and fourth to get the average? or did you just run it up?

you can check with the rings in it, but you have to push it pretty good back and fourth - The easier way is without the rings, but your in the car so thats probably out.

I'd have to recommend you rock that sucker back and fourth to get an average. That should shed some light on the situation.

I went from a .039 to a .045 gasket just for this reason.