Before we go any farther, question for ya was your head wore out where the cams ride in the head? Real common. That too could cause extra clearance.

 

um no not really there was a small ding but nothing major

 

send me an email of those pics so i can c what happened cuz i tried to see them on your links but it wont let me. my e mail is Muskiemaniac73@aol.com I'm not cn how your compression release would do that unless it destructed. Did u find a new head yet?