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I'm working on getting my build back together for the second time. I had some headgasket sealing issues previously, so I went and got my head decked (B16) to mate up better with my bottom end (B18B1). My machinist took off 5 thousandths.
I have not had the block decked, but the cylinder walls were inspected and cleaned.
Decking the block is out of the question because I don't have a way to pull it out again, nor do I want to.
My question: I have some small scratches on the cylinder wall top, closest to the crankshaft pulley, along with some scratches just outside the coolant jacket. I cannot catch my nail in any of the scratches but it definitely isn't smooth. It feels similar to 2000 grit sandpaper - just slightly rough. Is there any way I can clean this up for a better seal? Perhaps a few strokes with oiled/wet 2000 grit sandpaper? Or will some copper spray on my Golden Eagle headgasket seal it up? Or should I just leave it and bolt it up? Looking for some insight on this!
Also, with my head now decked should I be concerned about degreeing my camshafts? Pistons are 9:0:1 compression.
"Scratches" may as well be non existent. Surface is fine. Install the head gasket per usual instructions.
No, you do not need to degree your cams, and OEM cam gears are still fine if you're using OEM cams. I don't think it's possible even if you were 180 degrees off mechanically for you to have P2V contact with B16 cams and 9:1 pistons.
Scratches on Top of Block... OK?
