Well the struggles continue.
Have not updated here in a while.
Got the ROL gaskets and they have the same stupid cutouts in one corner so that part of it just barely hangs onto the sleeve by .06 or so. The bore on the ROL's was smaller so I chanced them because the rest of the fire ring was clamped much better than the Fel-Pro's.
Put about 65 passes on them with the only issue being the engine drinking about 2 cups of water every pass. Temperature control was fine until last weekend. Won on Sat but was using more water every pass, very little more but more every pass. Won first round on Sun but was 210+ back at my pit and took a bunch more water. Engine cooled down fine but was 220+ back at the pits. Probably just as well I lost because I would have figured out a way to run it if I was still racing.
The SCE copper gaskets showed up a week or so ago and look very good. Bore size is 4.25 +/- .015 or so, will sit very well on the top of my sleeves.
The thrash is on to be ready to go for Fri because I race a 3 hour tow away and would like to be there Fri evening if I can.
Deck of the motor is getting beat up so may go with some better sealer than a coat of copper gasket spray. ROL gaskets had the old type graphite coating on them so I have a few hours of cleanup to do before I can put the copper gaskets on. SCE insists on a retorque so I have thru evening lined up for that. Keeping my fingers crossed it goes well.
Did find a burnt pushrod, did not have a chance to check it out but first valvetrain problem in a long time, oiling hole in rocker arm may be plugged with something.