bridge size and water jacket clearence...

[sen2two]

I cant remember how much bridge is reccomended to be safe for the corner seal to ride on. Also, how much "meat" to be left from the opening edge of the bridge to the water jacket?

[NoDOHC]

Just look at the wear patterns on a worn housing, the side seal usually leaves a mark at the extent of it's travel (basically the bridge must go from the existing edge to the extent of the side seal travel).

If that doesn't work for you, take some pencil lead, stuff it in the side seal groove, stick the eccentric shaft in and rotate the engine so that the lead goes past the intake port. If you are careful where you put the lead, it will give you a good idea what you are doing. I don't think that the following edge of the side seal is a problem, just the leading side (that gets to the intake port first) - still, it might not hurt to try the following side too.

I think that the rotor housing is your limitation on the other edge of the bridge.

Have you found some 1 piece apex seals or are you going with a half-bridge?