Brian13
Addicted to ArboristSite
Do some digging on kart sites. I can't remember where I saw them, but there are different thickness gaskets available. I have considered doing the same. You could also investigate "decking" the block like a car engine, same as milling the base on a modern saw cyl.
I used to do this on Kart engines in the 60s. There were also heads with smaller combustion chambers too. There were also strokers that NEEDED the real thick head gasket to keep the piston from hitting the head. The top ring stayed in the cylinder, but the piston top was above the top of the cylinder.
It will be a little while before I even get to this saw, but the head gasket is busted up and will need to be replaced. When I get down and dirty with it, I will measure the space between the piston and the squish band and see what I have. I sure I can make one if need be. I looked through the IPL for the S44A and another kart IPL and didnt see any choices for gasket thickness. Starting to think about bypassing a project or two to get to this one LOL.