Cylinder bore shape

[admin]

Just got in a set of head gaskets for the Edelbrock cylinder head project but the bores aren't as round as I would have expected. Are the actual cylinder bores out of round on purpose? Why is that?

[daguse5853z]

You can get a snap gauge and actually measure the bores to determine if they are out of round or not. I wouldn't be surprised if they are but pistons are out of round also....to compensate for heat expansion.

[admin]

Gotcha. Thanks.

[DougTheHead]

Pistons aren't perfectly round. The piston bosses that hold the pin in place absorb more heat causing the piston to expand irregularly. It shouldn't be enough to see though? Can't remember looking at it that close. May want to call the place you got it from to make sure before squishing it between the block and heads.