Don’t know if it matters but the 2 back bolts got a little tight so the 35 lb ft might not be as accurate so didn’t know if that threw off the top a little bit or not.
did you reuse your manifold attaching bolts after the head swap or did you refresh the hardware with something different? as in perhaps the bolts are too long and bottoming out?
also, i hate to ask, and i'm not trying to be snide or rude in any way, but you did follow the torque sequence as well, correct?