Decked Cylinders

[otis71]

I have a nice set of 74” cylinders but they were decked almost to the first fin. I’ve been told a set of spacers can be bonded to them to put them back to stock height. I don’t want a high compression knuckle so I’m wondering if anyone has input whether this is ok to do. I guess another option would be spacers under the cylinders but this would throw off the manifold measurement. Thanks in advance.

[Rubone]

Spacers (stroker plates) won't change the manifold height if they are the same thickness as the missing material, they would merely bring it back to where you want to be.
Those cylinders may have been used on a hybrid engine using 61" stroke and '74 cylinders. I built a couple like that in the '70s...Shortened them .090".

[otis71]

If the plates are at the base it would raise them the thickness of the spacer. My cylinders were decked off the head surface.

[Rubone]

If the plates are at the base it would raise them the thickness of the spacer. My cylinders were decked off the head surface.

As you had already said, but no need for spacers (which are an issue for head gaskets) if you put plates under the cylinder (which is away from the combustion chamber) it creates the correct height. The heads and manifold are in their exact original position.

[droptopford]

Just looking at it from the perspective of geometry.... I can't picture how any of it would ever fit together without the stroker plates. I'm probably missing something.

[otis71]

I rethought what you said. You’re absolutely correct about the height. That was the way I originally thought but the guy who makes the head spacers said they’re less noticeable because he suggests bonding the spacers to the cylinders and just using one gasket on each. Any thoughts? He claims no issues and is a reputable machinist that is well known at the meets.