Well Gang, the "bolts being too long " theory is out the window cuz the holes in the block are all right around 1.970" deep. With the gasket on the head and using the original thick flat washers and bolts stuck through the holes, there is only 1/2" of threads showing through. The bosses on the head are all the same thickness also.
These are the original "Rockford" grade 8 bolts that were in the motor when I 1st tore it down for the rebuild last summer. Matbe they are not original to the motor??? and TOO SHORT???, I do not know, but we only had to go ,010 over so this was the 1st time this engine had been majored with new piston and rod although It may have been apart in the past for head work. The bolts are all 1.5" long with the exception of the one that is 1.75" wich goes on the right side outer and holds the "L" bracket for the coil mount.
The new bolts I bought all screw in easily by hand. At this point, I am wondering if maybe I should get 2" bolts. Ace did not have 1/75" bolts on hand, I would probably have to "special order" them I suppose.
I'm going to pull the head off a 301 I have here on the floor and see how long they are. I thought parts lookup would give the lengths of these....not!
Thanks for the input guys!