Scott, I have a question on the squish, on the motor that you gave on the 26 Zen. I purchased a dial indicator today and checked the squish on the motor and it was .028" and I am sure that is to high. Where is the squish on a stocker? if I had to guess it would be close to mine. I have a gasket that is .018" so to get to .016" I need to drop to a .006" gasket. I have a 5 but that might be to tight, what should I do?
Ran motor again this afternoon, wasn't running bad.

Thanks for your time;
Randy

Stock Zenoah clearance runs .035-.040" range give or take.
In my mod motors, I lightly clean up on a lathe the pistons dome in squish area to make final clearance, then use NO gasket at all, only 518 sealant ending up in the .018" - .022" range which I feel is pretty optimal.

Thanks Scott for the information, sure don't won't to blow the jug off, I think I saw where C&C has a .010 brass gasket, that would put me at .020" should put me in the ball park.

Thanks again;

Randy

Just make sure you MEASURE squish mechanically !! .... as in place piston into cylinder bottoming it out against head, MEASURE distance from dome to top of spark plug threads.
Now assemble piston onto rod, cylinder screwed down. Place piston at TDC and measure again, Difference between these TWO measurements is the actual mechanical clearance :dance2:

I did just as you said, first measured with piston and cylinder out. with piston to top of cylinder.
Then I got a second measurement after the piston was attached to rod and the cylinder bolted with gasket to the case.
I have fabricated a plug that has been drilled out so will fit on dial indicator and held in place with two 4-40 screws that i tapped into the plug to hold the dial in place. Seems to be working fine so far.
I feel good about the readings I've got, what is your thoughts about using copper coat on the gaskets?
The more I tinker with these motors the more I like it; although it may blow anytime. I have a couple more cases and a couple more cylinders yet to work with. Is there anything else that you might be able to add to the information in your Mod. post?
I am 100% sure that had you not posted that modding information with the pictures I would have never even give it a thought, with that said I just don't know how to thank you enough, your the best.

Thanks so MUCH SCOTT:drinks:

Single biggest issue with a copper or no gasket is the fact that under use the corners of cylinder flex a small amount and are the first place that bends if you swallow water and hydrologic lock engine.

A semi flexible gas resistant sealant is IMO needed. Copper coats OK so long as enough is used. Found the Loc-tite 518 best !

I will give the 518 a try; Thanks for the tip.

Randy