quench vs no quench?

You are correct Bob, reducing detonation is due to complete combustion chamber fill and mixture created by the turbulence.

More complete combustion will make more power.

Most of the Small Block Mopar blocks I have measured have had substantial four corner block height differences, not acceptable for a .040" piston to head clearance.

They didn't have to be accurate with pistons in the hole or large open chamber heads.