Does anyone know any tricks on how to check this?

Ive heard of the clay method but sounds like that will take forever?

 

You can also use checking springs.

 

Have you already assembled everything, or are you able to measure it with a caliper? You'll need peak lift, valve angle, distance from underside of valve to head mating surface, head gasket thickness, block side quench thickness, and any flycut or dishing at a given distance from cylinder wall. It's mostly adding and subtracting, but you will have to use some simple geometry.

 

both methods are good alternatives...I'm a fan of clay and checking springs...the math is a PITA that I recommend to none as many people aren't that good at it...you will also need lots of precision equipement to have exact heights of everything, including the block and HG thickness....aside from the previously listed.

For those donig clay and/or springs, be sure to account for piston wobble and 1/2 the main and rod bearings clearances.

 

homemade, have you done this before?

 

clay or plastigauge are the only ways I've done it.

 

yup...part of building custom motors...and its always a PITA