Okay, here is some more info:

First, I will check with MRL, Inc. for advice on accuracy of the
alignment but I don't use the tapes for under 1K. As Scot mentions,
fringing is mainly a problem at the low end. The heads are supposed to
be 'hotter', so that isn't an issue. In fact, I can live with the
levels. I am able to get a good +6 on repro. Sync only gets down to a
+5 on a couple of tracks and is weak on bass, but I don't mind.

These heads did come from John French. He is putting together another
A800 8trk right now and will be able to do some tests for me and
compare results.

As of now my 2 issues a

1. I'm not too sure how significant the individual channel bias
adjustments are. If you are familiar with the Studer procedure the
channel gets set to 3dB over peak, then the master is set based on
tape...in our case 1.75 over peak. I can only get 1dB over on the
channels (the pot max clockwise), but then the master has plenty of
room to get the 1.75. I don't know if the channel adjustment is a
problem or not.

2. Erase depth isn't very good. To get the very minimum erase I have
the master set to over 6V p-p. Tuning the channels will give me about
66dB erase and tons of 'rocks' noise. After a second erase pass the
signal is then completely gone. I think this indicates the erase head
is the correct width and height, but that is for John to tell me (I
just sent him an email tonight, so I won't hear from him till
tomorrow). Does anyone have any ideas on erase issues like this?

Thank all of you for input.

Dennis