Mission creep (herein of head gasket importunity)

A recent top-end maintenance issue became ("well, as long as it's apart anyway....") a full top-end job. Cylinders bored 040 over, new MAP (stock rod/compression) 78 mm pistons, and the head shown major love.

Added one of Jim Schmidt's Desaxe (wedge) base gaskets for fun while it's open. Cylinders just went back on today. On to the head... (and after that, back to the motor....)

I have 021 and 032 thickness copper head gaskets. "You must clay it, son." I know, but still would like to solicit thoughts on pros and cons of the choice. We have a lot of knowledge (and opinions!) on this board and I'd like to avail myself of it if I may.

Tx - B

I'm not sure of any real question here .
My recent motor rebuild today needed re-torque after only 250 of your miles .
Composite flame ring head gasket .

Thanks. I'm a retorquing freak so that won't be an issue.

I was soliciting opinions on 021 vs 032 head gasket.

Tx - B

If the pistons have valve pocket cutouts it's your call. With the wedge base you could use the .021 gasket with stock height pistons and a stock cam. You don't need to clay it. Clearance is all measurable with a caliper. Get the bottom end done and bolted down. Then measure how much the pistons stick up above the deck, subtract the head gasket thickness from the piston height and subtract the result from the depth of your squish band (the step cut around the combustion chamber for piston clearance)? That will give you the resulting squish depth. It'll probably be plenty deep enough for your stock cam lift. Or you can do whatever whomever disagrees with me using a bunch of technotalk suggests. lol

There’s bags of room in there. No problem at all using a .021 HG.

Thanks folks