Here is the thing Tom.
AMC heads have a ridge cast into them that seat on the Cylinder / Barrel
and raise the head surface up from the piston. (additional accuracy,
information, what ever, do you think you're getting from your technique
vs. the one I'm using?)
This clearance is accomplished with a head gasket on OEM VW heads.
You need to find a way to cinch the cylinders / barrels down to get a
correct deck height and your machined plate shows that your are intent on
doing this job right.
You can swap piston / rod assemblies and get a better match (sometimes).
As a final crush test you can squeeze hollow core solder and it stays
true whereas the thin wall brass will have a little flex back. On final
test I have feeler gauges in 1/4" width that will drop down the spark
plug holes and give a true reading.
I think you got a handle on it Tom.
Doing the job right surely gives me more confidence when I head out on a
2000 mile trip.

Stan Wilder

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