It is as smooth as silk with the head off. No hint of a bind. Is there another way to check this? Were my assumptions about the crankshaft correct?
Ken
If the sleeve is NOT moving up and away from the piston, then yes you have a problem some where
look at the backplate and see if you see swirling cuts in it
How new is the motor? or can you tell
can you post pictures?
how many head shims are in the head?
You should NOT have play in the rod, more than about 2 thou inch
is the wrist pin keepers there ?