now for legit SE-R content - what are the concerns with decking the head on an SR20?

[David Pertuz]

With a fluffy post like that, I should make up for it with something legit....

There is a nice G20t in Dallas that I am negotiating a price on. The owner
just (!) told me the other day that it had a new radiator, replaced when
the neck on the original one (car has 88k) cracked and the engine
overheated. I found this out because he said the car had had a valve job,
which didn't make sense given the HVLAs, and asked what had been done. He
said when it overheated it blew the head gasket, and when the head was off
it was sent to a machine shop and checked for crakcing an warpage, and was
found to be fine, but his dad (who was taking care of it) had it shaved a
bit anyway. I don't yet know how much.

This is of a little bit of concern to me, but I don't know how much I
should be concerned. I searched through my useful-info file saved from
years of list postings and found an old post from Lew  Shadoff about it,
referring to the FSM's stated limit of 0.2mm/0.008in on decking, though no
particular reason was given. Potential issues I can think of include chain
tension, water-jacket clearance and combustion-chamber height. James Vick
checked the car out for me and said it seemed great....if there is nothing
to be concerned about here then I will keep going, btu I would appreciate
the input of listers who have any relevant experience. If it all checks out
good and he agrees with what I am willing to pay for it, I would be picking
the car up next weekend.

thanks,
David