Thanks for the additional contact there Dru.
Dean - I'm fitting a 12G940 cylinder head to my engine and it can sometimes be the case that the exhaust valves hit the block and as such need sinking by 40 thou to clear the block. Apparently this isn't always the case, just luck of the draw, fingers crossed mines ok!
It will definitely be ok if you do the sinking - but without - it could make quite a mess. It is perfectly possible to take measurements and decide if it's safe without the sinking!