What do you guys regard as acceptable variation ??

B heads - spring pocket to underside of spring retainer

head #1 head #2

1.68 1.69 in.
1.762 1.741 ex.
1.68 1.709 in.
1.764 1.753 ex.
1.763 1.748 ex.
1.692 1.687 in.
1.750 1.745 ex.
1.702 1.68 in.

cheers
mike

 

That's what spring shims are for - to get them as close to factory installed height as possible, probably 1.650.
Shims are availabe in many thicknesses, as are diameters.
+ or - .005 is alright, and 125 lbs. on the seat is good for a hi-po motor.
While apart, match porting is almost free horsepower, and bowl clean-up really makes a difference, but might take 4-6 hours.