piston to valve clearance

Regardless if your putting new heads on you need new head gaskets, look at the 8548-PT2 or I prefer the performance series 1011-1 or 1101-2 These are .041" thick.

Most standard inline heads with a 2.02 valve and a stock cam will clear (TFS TW heads clear no probelm due to the rotated valve), however if you ever float the valves THEY WILL HIT on the outside edges on the eyebrow which could damage the valves, etc...

If you know how to clay the relief then do it, makes no sense not to Production blocks vary alot on the deck height, I have seen pistons in the hole .010" and I seen them above the deck .011"

No offense intended but you posted your question and your answer already:

"i dont want to hear "clay the motor" because i already know to do so",

bingo you got it thats what you need to do, I finished a 351 recently and had all the specs of everything and should have been good to go. My builder said check it and guess what, insufficient clearance!