You have put a lot of thought in this. I have been at this for 60 years & have found #1 cyl. wears more then the rest on practically all engines. I don't know why. Maybe Hot Rod Lincoln will chime in. He has a lot of theories. The crack in the block has been a problem around the front head bolt on the drivers side. The factory has revised the torque specks to 85 lbs. on that particular bolt.
