Hey neil,
I wanted to build a 2332cc t1 but the fact that i might have to slap the cylinder head tins to have them sit on the heads properly didn't appeal to me that's the reason for stepping down to a 2276cc engine however a 2165 would be better.
not sure if i understand this correctly, but to me Mahle B's have the same deckhight as a standard 1600 engine if i am correct. on my 2276 i used 1mm shims, the tin fitted nicely.