I’m going to add on more thing here. I would probably have the 1-2-7-8 pistons in to see if it was worse than .012 deck height checking square. Then make a decision. Just to make sure.
That's the long way, did it that way about 5 times in 1995 and said to myself "There has to be a better way" --Get yourself some 12" vernier calipers and this can be done in about 5 minutes. Accurate to within .001". J.Rob