if it spins over without binding I'm good to go on valve clearance ..RIGHT?

[Grumpy]

I’m installing 10:1 domed pistons in my 454. Cam lift is .547 at most. Using stock rocker arms. Cam duration is .270 at most and will be installed at zero instead of 4 degrees before or after on the marks. To do a simple test of valve to piston clearance can a person install the head with no head gasket and turn the engine over by hand. If they don’t hit can this be a good way to assume when gasket is installed you won’t need to worry about clearance issues??? I’m guessing the higher type compression pistons are the ones to worry about. Heads have stock valves. Pistons do have valve reliefs.

It is when they stop spinning that the camshaft and lifters fail and become a lathe.

that idea of the engine not binding if your manually spinning it over being a way to verify sufficient piston to valve clearance is a very bad idea.
don,t assume, don,t get in a rush,
do the clearance checks correctly and your engine will last far longer,
theres far more to checking valve train clearances than not bending valves,
while you turn the engine over.
obviously if the engine locks up at some point in the rotation, while you test to find out why the engine won't easily rotate a full 360 degrees,
but allows you too reverse directions and spin it almost the full 360 degrees before it again locks, preventing full rotation your engines got some part physically binding, preventing your rotation, , its most likely sone failed part like a broken piston, or valve train component, forcing it will result in DAMAGE, thus you must pull the head(S) and maybe the oil pan for a closer inspection, before you proceed and potentially cause more damage

read the links and sub links carefully
yes it will take you a couple hours.. yes it can easily save you hundreds of dollars and weeks or repair work,
yes ignoring that advice is very likely to be something you regret!

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/checking-piston-to-valve-clearances.399/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-train-clearances-and-problems.528/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-degreeing.9010/#post-35474

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...rect-custom-length-pushrods.14241/#post-72346

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tched-valve-spring-required.13774/#post-70674

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/turning-your-crank-manually.5933/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ank-durring-short-blk-assembly.852/#post-1812

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...needs-clean-up-equalization.12474/#post-62647

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/can-you-plan-for-quench.11298/#post-51325

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-break-in-procedure.16/#post-22

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/ccing-my-heads.14187/#post-71989