Thanks Pat.

I do intend to mock it up first. I'm just trying to get my plan in order to see if it is possible to acheive an .040" quench with the parts available (head gasket thickness's).

I intend to use a new GMPP 383 bare block. Using the nominal dimensions of my rotating assembly, it would be nice if the block will square up with what calculates out to be about five thousands off the standard 9.025 deck height. Just nominal dimensions mind you as I understand it will all depend on the actual installed piston height.

Thus I ask those of you with more experience than I; Is it likely the new block will square up in .005" or are they typically further out of tolerance than that?

Do new blocks need have the mains align bored too?