Motor rebuild advice...

[Bill Hudson]

Make sure you check the clearance of the piston to the head. You are going from flat tops to pop ups and shaving the head. Some have had to pull the head later to deal with the piston hitting the head so better safe than sorry. A little modeling clay on the piston helps to see what is happening and don't forget the gasket. It is nice to have an old one around for clearance checking.

This is the problem Bob is referring to:


both photos from/by Rick Prentice

Hope this helps.

[Boss Hog]

check it without the head gasket, will save you some grief
Boss

[Bill E Bob]

check it without the head gasket, will save you some grief
Boss

Didn't save me any, till I figured out the embossed arrow and "front" were causing the interference, which by the way, was cured with the gasket