In other news, BB #1 was the most "lethargic" of the 3 BBs that I did, likely because I left the intake too high. However, I also did not like the increased vibrations (of all 3 BBs).
So today I pulled the P+C off #1 and replaced them with an OEM 044 piston + cylinder. It is a straight fin cylinder, apparently made by Stihl (not Mahle). I tried to measure squish (while it was still on the original case), but my .050 solder did not give a reading. Found out there was a .040 gasket under that cylinder … no wonder!
W/O a base gasket, on an Asian 440 case, squish is .018 and the numbers were unimpressive … 103, 118.5 and 68. I planned to raise the ex a hair, and lower the intake, but I guess I did not remove enough for the Ex # to change (I was being a little cautious with an OEM cylinder).
I ended up with 103, 118.5 and 79. She fired up and ran nice (right before dark), hopefully I will get to put her in some wood tomorrow, and hopefully that annoying vibration will be gone or reduced.
FYI, the OEM 044 piston is 2.5 oz, the BB New West Pistons are 3.0 oz. That is a 20% increase. If you use the AM piston pin (I didn't), you add another 0.2 oz.
Will be interesting to see how this thing cuts compared to BB #2, which felt about the same as #3.