I have not tried fitting an Ap piston in a norvel liner because the norvel piston has a plating on it I believe. I dont think the AP has any surface prep on the piston other than it being "well" lapped (too much) I am not sure the two would work together. I really am not sure about this, and with the availibilty of Novel Cylinders I just dont want to chance it.
Deck Height is measured from the seating surface of the head on the cylider to the piston resting at top dead center. it is the clearence between the face of the head and the piston, gaskets affect this of course. I cant produce a drawing of this, I am just not that skilled at all this fandangled computer stuff in my old age.