>>>*Still curious about tha wrist pin clip. Likely I either over tweaked it setting it in place or didn't get it set all the way, either one is a sure failure.

Besides, your engine is an experiment and should have blown up by now anyway.

Head gasket, no clue. I don't believe in "defects" that last for thousands of miles, there is always a reason for a failure.

Take and post some pics of the UNDERSIDE of those pistons, I want to see if they are a tad towards chocolate colored on the underhead..we are looking for extra heat...if it's there, then we go hunting to find out why..

Or load her up and bring it doen here.....*EB