Wow! Phenomenal information here! This is really great.
If I can get away with zero decking the block (which would require the removal of only 0.016" off the deck surface) and using an 0.040 (or approx 1mm) thick gasket, I'd be much more comfortable with relieving the block.
Based on your CC redesign, I'm assuming that the gasket would need to match the footprint of the chamber fairly precisely...shouldn't be a problem if I go with a custom gasket. Will need to double check on the Somender Singh groove to make sure I won't end up cutting into a water passage. George Asche has milled 0.090" off an identical '50 Plymouth head, and I'm shooting for an 0.060 mill-job so I know I could safely go to an 0.030" depth on the groove, but that's less than 1mm. Perhaps I'll just find another 50 Ply head and cut it in half to determine how far I can go...What depth/width would you recommend on said groove?
I do have photos of the undercarriage of an original 1950 Plymouth stock car, complete with sway bar. I wish I would have thought to have measured the sway bar...I assumed it was stock. My 1950 Chrysler "passenger car parts list" shows only one sway bar cataloged for the Plymouth. Was standard on the wagon and optional as part of a 'severe duty' package on other models.
I'll upload those photos as soon as I get back to my home computer (a few days).
