[Land-speed] Compression Height, Ford Small Block, Of course...

[Larry Mayfield]

Last week I asked about mixing and matching the cranks, pistons and rods 
between a 289 and  302 sized motors. The use of the shorter 302 rod with 
a 289 crank was not deemed to be a good idea because it puts the piston 
down hole 0.065 inches. Seemingly small but apparently important in 
squish.  But when I look at a combo made for a particular engine, say 
the 289, virtually everyone of the piston makers use something other 
than the zero deck height  compression height of 1.6135 inches.  Most 
sell their pistons at 1.60 inches which also puts the piston down hole 
by 0.0135 inches.  Is that a significant amount?  I did sample  a number 
of products and one was 1.608 which is closer.

What's good?

mayf