sounds like when you fixed the carbs you nuked your motor... melted pistons and blown bottom are signs of a lean motor. to much air not enough oil or both. do you want to sell it as a roller and do you have a title ???
did the screw driver only damage the head... the block and head are made of the same material,
I believe if the gouge doesn't go past the o-ring you should be able to sand the high spots down, if they go past the o-ring it might not seal.
I have the T-6 pipes and love them.
I have all bolt on mods and the pipes work well with them,trinity cv intake,v-force,milled head,4 degrees timing.
the pipes liked these mods.
Plus they sound incredible...my opinion
the dgk and the dek both have the same taper, both leaner than the eek.the middle letter is the length, G is longer than the E, thats why you have the clip on the bottom try to raise the needle out of the main. wiith the eek needle you should be able to raise the clip use a smaller main. it should run alot cleaner.
if it starts on a 27.5 but not on the 30 a 32 will be worse...have you check the condition of your reeds? chip, cracked,or open reeds will moke it hard to start cold.
not sure what mods you have, but try the eek needle and the 185 main,with you clip 4 down from the top.the dgk is a long needle with to much taper.
hope this helps.
did you adjust the clutch rod first and then the cable. are all the factory cushion rings removed, did you soak your frictions before you installed them. is your basket in good shape?
can't think of any thing else right now.
Great mod, I had my local machine shop do mine for $25. you want to check your squish band and make sure someone hasn't already cut it. ideal squish is .040, less than that and you'll hurt performance.