need some advise - lysander engine fit - those who have faced an issue like this

This is a common problem for me when working with radial engines.  I use a flat needle file for removing the top of the cylinder heads, little by little, a few mils at a time, going around the engine.  Never failed to get one to fit.  Usually with cowl in the butchering of the head is not noticable.

ok, so the gap is bigger than what i was thinking.  But, done for now.  We'll see.....

thanks both!  im afraid to try and do anything now with the cylinder heads seeing as its all glued up.  If i did, i think id have to bust em all up and re-do.  Think im gonna try to squeeze it in and re-do the seam....  If i had seen this issue earlier i would have sand them down but like i said,  i missed th dry fitting.  Next time ill tape it 1st

Can you gently chuck it in a drill and use a sandpaper block to evenly take off the tops of the cylinders?  I had to do that for a 1/32 IAR.80.

I recently did the Eduard release of the Lysander, and I had the same problem.  I actually lopped off a couple of the cylinder heads to get the engine to fit into the 3-part cowling. It was still a tight fit, but it's not really visible as to what I did to get it in there.  Your solution will likely work as well; I think I went for the easiest solution given how hot it was at the time I was building my Lysander.