Cylinder Head Assembly: Testing and Inspection

Squish height is the clearance of the piston dome to the cylinder head dome at TDC. No rework of the cylinder head gasket surfaces (slabbing) or use of replacement components (crankshaft, piston and connecting rod) causing the assembled squish height to be over or under the tolerance specification is permitted. If no other parts other than the cylinder head gasket are replaced, the piston squish height should be within specification.

1. Clean all gasket material from cylinder head mating surfaces.






2. Place a small amount of soft lead solder on piston spherical areas.
3. Rotate crankshaft to lower the piston in the bore and install the cylinder head gasket. A used gasket is preferred.

Fig. 7 Cylinder Head Bolt Tightening Sequence:

4. Install used cylinder head bolts and torque to 30-44 ft. lbs. in sequence shown in Fig. 1.
5. Rotate crankshaft to move piston through its TDC position.
6. Remove cylinder head and measure thickness of compressed solder to determine squish height at TDC. The solder should be within .039-.070 inch. Squish height is the clearance of the piston dome to the cylinder head dome at TDC. No rework of the cylinder head gasket surfaces (slabbing) or use of replacement components (crankshaft, piston and connecting rod) causing the assembled squish height to be over or under the tolerance specification is permitted. If no other parts other than the cylinder head gasket are replaced, the piston squish height should be within specification. If parts other than the cylinder head gasket are replaced, squish height must be checked.