The Ross pistons you used, were they flat tops or did they have lumps?
Flat top with a "depression" for intake valve clearance.It was a design Ross has on file.The pistons are about .005 below deck at TDC,the 848 head was shaved only .010,the valves are not sunken in. This gives an actual 8.9 compression ratio with a .050 compressed gasket.
This engine using a 2 barrel carb on a modified stock intake,home made short tube header and a reground cam of .430 lift with 212 degrees duration at .050 lift runs nicely with sharp throttle response.
