Stopping the knock: Lower compression and ported heads...

If it is the belief of some that I could have "tuned" my way out of the knocking, that is an opinion that may or may not be true. I enjoy working on the cars but it is not the only thing that I do. Maybe by starting these threads I give off a sense of "urgency". Often times I see online Q & A a matter of conversation that may not ever go anywhere.
This car will never be my daily transportation. It is a hobby car that will never be raced on a dragstrip for money. There is no financial gain or loss due to being a 1/2 second slower or faster than the next guy.
I just enjoy tinkering on this and my other 8 cars and trucks. The thicker head gaskets may have been the easy way out of knocking. Some of the tuning suggestions I've read here and elsewhere are made by seasoned professionals with many years of experience. Frankly, the methods are often miles over my head. I've done what I can with my limited time and skills. I've wished that some of the smart guys were located close by, but it seems that Northern CA isn't a hot-bed of Mopar Tuner guys.
The car no longer knocks. That was the main goal. Looking back in this thread and others can show what to do and what NOT to do in future builds.