[fox501]

done a mock up on my motor last night installed #1,4,5,& 8 pistons installed head with no gasket was checking valve clearance and deck height, with piston at tdc the intake valve has .355 clearance and exhaust has .415 on all four corners, then took a stright edge with pistion at tdc run a feeler gauge under the stright edge .032 on right side and .030 on left side is this the best way to check this stuff or is there a better way. thanks for any input

 

[mikes73stang]

Valve Clearance

TDC is not necessarily where the valve comes closest to the piston. You need to cycle all the way through.

 

[White Lightning]

I use Plumbers putty and roll the engine through two full revolutions then measure the putty WITH the head gasket. Hope this helps.
Rob

 

[fox501]

so what is the best way to check deck height is the feeler guage a good way

 

[Grizzs-N-Code]

Feeler gauge

Thats what I used with a strap bolted down with the head bolt holes over the piston. Just have to use the gauges on both sides of the piston at once to take care of any piston rock.