Help on 408 build

I know I messed up. I really want to avoid redoing the engine, especially changing out pistons. I’ll test the compression again with a quality tester. What I used was a cheap old one

Imo, the “right” way to do it is...... do your homework first.
For this application, a set of closed chamber heads, inverted dome pistons selected to provide 10-10.5cr with zero deck height along with the heads of your choosing, and a big enough cam to keep the cranking compression well within the safe zone.

I think B3’s solution is a cheap way out for the time being.
I’d probably go up a bit with the cam as well, while I had it all apart.

Not the best way, but fits the OPs above statement.