318 budget build

Thanks YR
I verify TDC by rolling the piston to .050 before TDC and take a reading off the wheel.
Then go past TDC and read the .050 down number. They better be equal or you haven't found true TDC.

he has the heads on
as you say Piston stop is close but no ciigar



Most small blocks come out at about 11 degrees on both sides of TDC.
About what I would expect

If you have say 8 on one side and 14 on the other, you need to split the difference and check it again.
That's what he has been trying with his piston stop

I'll see if I can get up there later today