Block and head should return from the shop this week. Crank pollished - still standard rod and main - looked good. Here's the recipe - new .015 over Mahle pistons, D cam (and new stock lifters), steel gears ($90 new from Sweden!), E head to be used with fresh HS6 carbs, JF4 (007) alum body distributor), FI exhaust manifold and stock exhaust - going larger in the fall when I can get the stainlesss 2" system.

Questions to the Wizards:

head gasket thickness and composition (or source). From one source, I can get 1.2 or 2.0 along with the rest of the gaskets I need. Recall much discussion about relative merits of higher compression head with today's gas. Thinner gasket will increase compression. One worry is 'knock' and running on.

Any other "musts to avoid", hints, secret ingredients?

thanks