How to check piston to deck clearance

The subject is a Toyota 2ZZ

The block is being milled to ensure a good gasket sealing surface.

The short block must be dry assembled with crank, rods, and pistons.
Rod and main bearings are installed, and only the 2nd ring installed.

The tools used are a dial indicator and bridge stand

Now zero the dial indicator on the block with .100 preload.


Next slide the dial indicator over the piston and rock the crank back and forth till the highest reading is found.


Now read the difference from zero to the depth of the piston.

In this case it was .004

It took .003 to square the block. Leaving the piston .001 in the bore at true TDC