Used Aftermarket Aluminum heads.

[Bored&Stroked]

Couple things to note: The top-edge of the valves are usually NOT flush with the top of the block - especially on the Driver's side. Of course, it all depends on the valves, seat depth, deck, etc . . . I have to measure each engine.

Given that the valve angles are not the same (side to side), it is the Driver's side that I always check first. If the block has not been decked before, usually the Driver's side top valve edge is about .040 or so higher than the passenger's side and will be above the deck surface. Bottom line, you just have to check with a dial indicator or depth gauge.

On the heads, you have it about right - though it depends on the depth of the dome cuts. On Ross pistons, they show the dome sticking up about .187 above the edge of the piston. Of course, it depends on the diameter of the piston (overbore), but that is close.

On my last set of custom pistons, the final compression height (measured) was 1.387 (this was for a 4 1/8" stroker crank). I moved the dome up .010, so I had the pistons made with a 1.397 compression height. So, the pistons popped up about .010 over the deck. My heads were new Navarro heads, I had the domes redone on a CNC mill to match the Ross shape. Final squish/quench (measured after final assembly) was .041.

Standard 4 1/8" Stroker Pistons: If I had just ordered "stroker pistons" from Ross for this combination, the compression height would have been their standard 1.374. This would cause the pistons to be .013 "down in the hole" and my quench would have been about .065 or so. This shows exactly why one has to work with the specific block, heads, etc - to determine what is needed to achieve the proper quench.

You can't assume anything as far as the above numbers for stocking pistons and aftermarket heads and whatever block you have. Also, if you square-deck the block (off of the mains) to achieve equal deck heights, then you've changed it anyway. On the block above, it was decked .010 on one side and .018 on the side (to equal up the deck heights). The decks are usually off a bit - not just in height, but as far as being "square" to the mains. If you have the block decked, make damn sure they are doing it off of the main saddles - it is the only way to get it right and they need to understand that the valve seats on the Driver's side will be higher than the passenger's side.

I've seen machine shops without flathead knowledge deck the blocks so the valve seats were at the same height . . . making one side completely wrong.