#1-no proper leak test was done before start and before tear down (now we r just guessing)
#2- no squish test done
#3- you have 100 over pistons, most domes are only clearance to 80 over
Over the yrs of being worked on most bores end up being slightly off center, couple that size of bore , size of domes it's a possibility the piston was lifting the head by nicking the dome
Just some thoughts, did you take a compression reading