measuring quench

[fly400ex]

When you guys are measuring quench are you putting putty between the head and cylinder and cycling the motor and measuring the putty. Shouldn't the head be torqued down for this, rendering the headgasket unreusable?

thanks

[CAIN730]

On 2 strokes you can use a rosen core solder by bending it in a L shape and inserting it through the spark plug hole then cycling the motor and measuring the solder. Just make sure it reaches all the way out to the edge of the cylinder where the squish band is. I have never tried it on a 4 stroke but I would say that the valves would cause a problem. Your best bet would be to buy your piston from a reputable engine builder and talk to him about what kind of clearance you want. These guys can afford to trash one head gasket to find out what kind of clearance they have.

[fly400ex]

bump