I have printed and saved Dusters ( From slant.org site ) instructions on finding chamber volume but I do not remember seeing anything that went into any detail on measuring deck height.
DI has good info on determining chamber volume, I use a stringe from Tractor Supply,, intended for farm animal injections,, I can get the same value + / - a cc time and time again,, it aint hard to do...
Yes it makes sense to me that there might be some small variations when checking the chamber, evidently vaseline or grease is used ( backyard method ) between the head and whatever is being placed over the combustion chamber ( CD case ) and depending on build-up that alone would cause a different amount of fluid to fill the chamber area if that makes sense.
Is it just a matter of laying a straight edge across the top of the block and measuring how far down the top of each piston is at TDC. '
You got it,, although you want something better than a tape to measure the depth,, a depth micrometer is best.
I may have a set of these, if I do not than I will get a set. Good tools are nice to have and chances are I will use them again.
Do I need to measure all of the pistons this way?
You can measure them all,, for a slant,, however, measuring #1 and #6 and getting the run from front to rear should tell you what you want to know. Understand that the variation mesured from 1 to 6 is due to: the block deck maching front to rear, the crankshaft bore machining front to rear, how parallel they are as well as for the rods: length from bore to bore and piston compression height.
I would expect that on a stock engine 1 & 6 would easily be within .010,, for a block reprocessed be a compentent machine shop, resized rods, good pistons, easily within .005
This makes perfect sense, I will check the variation and go from there.
What other measurements will I need to come up with assuming I am building this engine for performance/torque?
I recommend getting familiar with the definitions and differences between static and dynamic compression. As well as the inputs for each. There are several good on line ( free) compression calculators,, RB is a good one,,
https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/compstaticcalc.html
There are also interesting and accurate computer simulation programs,, for not much money,,
Dyno Sim,, is really cool.
http://www.proracingsim.com/dynosimmainpage.htm
In your engine development planning: camshaft timing, duration and lift will also be important to match up with the compression values chosen.. For that I recommend googling "David Vizard and Camshafts" and be prepared to open your mind.
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0607phr_camshaft_basics/
