[superbluecivicsi]

well, when you had the head off, you should of taken it to a machine shop so they can vacuum test it to see how well the valves seal. you could of also poured brake cleaner in the ports to see leaks on the combustion chamber side. do a leakdown. the test will pinpoint your possible leaks.

how did your cylinder walls look/feel like when your pistons cracked? honed? plastigauged new bearings to make sure they are in spec? torque is in spec? new rings? new head bolts? new headgasket? walls lubricated prior to putting in piston?

basically, was it done right the first time around? if its your first time, im pretty sure you had the helms right in front of you to do it right the first itme around.