Ok....I can see why you'd avoid answering the question.

Dave

Correct.  That would be "the way it was designed", as stated earlier, and
taken exception to.

I do agree that slop was not a design intent, but it is a result of that
specific piston design.  This and other long standing issues with GM
products is what really bothers me as a long time GM advocate.  The intake
gasket issues are the same.  I can understand issues coming up, especially
when a company is trying to be innovative and come up with new designs.  The
reasons for that innovative initiative can be internal (how do we design a
lighter, more powerful engine), or they can be impressed from the outside
(Feds outlaw the use of asbestos forcing manufacturers to come up with
alternatives overnight).  I make allowances for misfires in the realm of
innovation.  What I have a hard time with is not taking the high road and
making proper redress once the problems are discovered.  In the case of
these engines, the design was found to be weak, but production went full
tilt, and GM even does their best to deny culpability.  At that point, where
there is a full awareness of the issues and the motor company makes the
conscious decision to continue production and dismiss the complaints of
their customers, I tend to take a harsher position.