Deck Machining

[Damn Yankee]

I would like to know how much one can safely cut on the deck of a Dart SBF IE block. Can it be cut 0.100 safely ? Can it be cut 0.200 safely ? I would to use an existing crank kit instead of ordering new rods

[Awesome Bill]

Safely, yes, But it will affect deck integrity? Ofcourse it will. Its always going to be harder to keep head gaskets in cutting that much off. But then again, I have a Early DRCE that was cut way more than that. For what someone is going to charge to cut that much off, you could have a set of rods purchased. or pistons for that matter.

[malihoochie]

The typical finished deck thickness is .400" on those blocks, the max Dart recommends to take off is .100" . Take off more at your own risk, but I have heard of folks cutting .150" off without problems.

[Awesome Bill]

power creates problems with think decks. I have seen thin decks repeatedly blow gaskets. Why ruin a block for a piston pin height problem? It does not make sense. Proper Pistons are cheaper than blocks.