[Adger Smith]

You can now add the two numbers for a total. Your block can be shorter as long as the head gasket is thicker and more than makes up the difference in the total number. Conversely you can have a thinner head gasket than the spec and have the piston farther in the hole. It is the total number of the two that is relevant. But, If the spec calls for "in the hole" the piston must be at zero or in the hole. It can't be above. That is unless that is one of the NHRA moving tech targets that has recently changed .