2.0 Head Gasket delete? Options

[torakki]

I've read where it's a good idea to remove the head gaskets and re-assemble without them. Something about, they crush and cause an issue. Is there anything else you need to do or change, in their place? Like a different head design?
Thanks

[technicalninja]

Check deck height!

The upper surface of the piston crown has to be at least .040 DOWN the bore.

Most stockers are this far anyway but if you don't check and a piston gets too close to the head (does this shit at high RPM!) entire loss of the engine is possible...

It IS an improvement to have them run close. Quench action is improved by reduction of deck height right up the point of contact.

Contact equals the Grim Reaper!

Head surface and jug surface that form the seal have to be FLAWLESS for it to seal well.

New jugs and fly cutting the heads are the normal way to achieve decent sealing.

If I was trying to re-use old, I'd "lap" the jugs into the heads with fine valve lap compound as 914Sixer suggested.

There is more to this than just leaving the fire rings out...