Hi Scott, The factory blueprint height is suppost to be 10.570"....I've seen them several thousandths either way. Hope this helps....
So 10.57 - (stroke/2 + rod length + compression height) = stock deck heigth. 10.57 - (3.9/2 + 6.6 + 1.975) = .045 in the hole.
I just had to overcome a final-deck height issue with my 350. The shop took their normal preliminary amount off and noticed the pistion was not deep enough. Thicker head gaskets was the solution but it was close for my intended application. I would not count on anything being 100% accurate from the factory. My .02
The only info I have on the old Fireball engine is that there seem to be three deck heights. 264 and 322 share a deck height, the 364 was raised 1/4 inch, and the 401 and 425 were raised again. I'd like to find out more about these engines, too! Schurkey
