[Excaliber]

Deck height is really more a function of getting the correct compression height, valve to piston clearance and "even power" from all the cylinders issue. The block could be "tapered" from cylinder #1 being a different deck height than say cylinder #4. Unless it's "way off" I can't see how that would impact over all "reliability".

If you have the block "decked" (I would recommend it) this lowers the deck height and may well reguire custom pistons. Then again, the "stock" pistons had a spec something like .030 BELOW deck (thats a LOT) and lowering block height would have a favorable impact of increasing potential "quench" in the combustion chamber. How much deck height and how much quench to introduce? Well that's why they call it "BLUE PRINTING" your engine. Determine the specs you want and then, as the Captain says, "make it so". Don't forget to add "balance" to the whole thing.