Time for me to be a Noob

[Chezedik]

It isn't as cut and dry as that. First the KA sits on a tilt, second, small adjustments seem to make a big difference. Second, 180 is only going to get higher when the engine is warm and broken in. If it puts me in the 195 zone, that is okay, but no higher. Basically, what should I expect when it gets broken in, in terms of compression getting higher.

[slipnfall]

Much above 190psi or so, you're looking at an increase in compression ratio. This could be due to planing/shaving too much material from the head when machining.

There seem to be two school's of thought on breaking an engine in... grandma-ing it, or driving it normally. All I can say is that I've done both, and if you grandma an engine the whole break-in period, it will *always* drive that way, even well after breakin. Just take care not to bog the engine(ie taking mountain hills in 5th), or drive for any extended period of time with a constant RPM: it's said you can wear your bearings in un-evenly.

The more you accellerate/decellerate durring breakin, the better your rings will seal(esp. decelleration). So accellerate to say 30, let your engine bring you down to 10mph or so, repeat a couple times. Then just bump up the speed you accellerate to each time. Worked for me, 185 across the board.

Oh and don't be shy about changing your oil: at least change it within 500mi, then maybe 2000mi, then 4000.

Just some random thoughts...

[Chezedik]

Well, the head was planed .009" (maybe more since I have had such a hard time with cam timing). But it should only be 9.6:1 or so, I would think. Anyway, everyone think the cams are good where they are, or should I work to lower it a little?