Hi
I got my dial calipers from work; they show .461" lift, .442" space in the head above the cylinder deck.
This means I need .019" more space to avoid interference. The new head gasket is .076". So, there will be .057" clearance, minus whatever the gasket compresses. I will go for it.
BUT now another issue: the head gasket, when laid on the head in the only way it lines up, overlaps into the edges of some of the combustion chambers about .040", and leaves the same amount of the head's under surface exposed on the opposite side of thesame combustion chamber. It seems the head's bolt holes are not drilled on center between the cylinders, so the gasket doesn't align on center either. What the Heck?!! The gasket is new, says it fits 218/230 1938-54. Mine is a 54. Date on head is 1-16-53, PN 1405849-8. The engine is a P-24, 218 CID Plymouth.
Ward
