On our race engines (Especially Small Block Mopars)
not only do we use a Deck Plate but we home the blocks
at the water temperature that we actually stage the race cars
at. Does it make a measurable difference? I do not know but we
sure do get our feet wet a lot and go thru a lot of Socks.
The Air Gap Intake does a pretty good job of
keeping the carb cooler by itself.
A 1 inch phenolic spacer should fit under stock
Hood with room for a decent size Air Cleaner.
Not unusual for my engines to have some noise
the first minute upon startup with the clearances I
run on the skirt. Now if it lasts longer than that or sound
like someone has a hammer inside = that is a significant concern.
How much piston to wall clearance on the skirt 90 degrees opposed to...