[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

The problem with cutting too much off the deck is that you can never add it back.

I have been watching threads like this to figure out the best option for myself.

Depends on the engine. On a Pontiac it doesn't matter, there are no numbers stamped on the deck to be concerned with.

Every one of these old blocks (and even new blocks) really need to be decked. Not one of them are the same distance from centerline front to back. Can't have that on one of these builds. At a very minimum the block has to be squared.
You can't feasibly order several pistons with varying pin heights to correct it, so the block has to be square first and foremost.
From there you have to determine whether it's worthwhile to order custom piston pin heights to achieve zero deck, or as hinted at maybe .005" out of the hole can be more optimum. Or just deck the block to get it there.

On a Pontiac, I generally just have the block decked. Chevrolets are a little more tricky as some of those factory stamped engines are pretty expensive so decking and screwing up stamps and broach marks is a bad idea. In which case custom pin height pistons are a better way to go.