i was thinking about a decom plate for the cleveland /stroker/blower set up , had to get longer pushrods
i also thought about copper and o-rings but was advised against it by my machinist ( thats from him only , im not saying hes the majority)
to make it easier , as im building a new engine im just getting 8.2 or 8.4 compression pistons ( 16cc dished )

JMM just use the AU headgasket and charge you twice as much as what ford does.

Only attempt copper if you have some experience in engine building. There are a few tricks in getting it to work. I've know butcher mechanics who never could get it not to leak. But if your a attention to detail person they can last forever.

before u go and get a copper gasket, I am quite sure that u can't o ring an alloy head. as it will push the o ring into the head and not clamp the gasket properly.
In those cases you should o ring the block, as it is cast iron and will support the o ring properly.
I realise in your situation you can not o ring the block.
Just keep that in mind before you go out and buy a copper head gasket.
The twin au gaskets and decomp does sound pretty stable.

f**k B.S!!! You can buy V8 alloy aftermarket heads with O rings in std!!!

Ha ha, well there u go, an expert has spoken, after all what would I know.

This is why I don't post in these forums, cause there is an expert always willing to shoot down your opinion.

Let's see Mr expert, Are you sure they were not talking about O-ring reciever grooves ?

Are you sure they will work on DcStraight's head that was not designed for O rings?

Think about it you have a soft alloy, against a soft copper and a hard piece of heat treated stainless in between.

Oh I only know this because I have done this.

Put a felpro wire head gasket on an alloy head and it leaves the indentation.

All I am saying Steve is don't rush out and buy a copper head gasket just yet, do a bit more research first.
Ridgecrest in Dromana make them Peter Toy is your man, speak to him.
I know how many issues you have gone through, and I would not like you to have more.

Just don't paint yourself into a corner ..I'm NO expert just got this sort of thing done by experts...
The last thing you want I guess is to have O ring too proud and holds head up, hence leaks through water passages etc or have too much sealer blocking water/oil passages etc ..I was told to torque head of and on two or three times to get grooves in both cooper and head...Because it sinks in BOTH doesn't mean it doesn't work..Yes even the s/steel ringed h/g from Felpro will leave grooves..The block can also be done also...Iff you are not keen on copper head gasgets? Get some multy layer steel h/g like Cometic...On a six std h/g take up to 300 rwkw and about the same or less with V8 as there pissy head bolts stretch, studs help in this area!! Or 1/2 as used in 351 or aftermarket blocks..Usually when there is h/g issues there are TUNING issues causing this!! The h/g is just a fuse for bad tune..In most cases...