[Ol' Ron]

Having been to Bonnivell several times, I gravate to the Flathead powered cars. I've been privy to see inside some of these engines. I noticed very few were relieved. As one Aussy stated "bloody waste of time" I realize this doesn't answer the question. Up untill 20 years ago I relieved most of all the engines I built for street and racing. My last stockcar engine was not relieved and was the strongest one I build up to that time. However it had a different cam and port modification and the real reason I didn't relieve it was to keep the compression as High as I could. All engines were limited to 258 ci. This process of relieving is quite artistic, and requires some skill with a die grinder. Done the old fashion way of following the shape of the head gasket take time and the possibility of ruining a block by cutting into the seal area can be expensive and time consuming. SSSsssoooo, as the say"you pays your money, and make your choice" nuf said.