O-ringing the block is OK for a race motor using a copper gasket. But my head carries pressurized oil passages , drain down passages, and pressurized coolant passages, all of which would need o-ringing to prevent seepage of one fluid into another if a copper gasket / o-ring combo were used. Early Ford Indy engines o-ringed every deck face passage with success. I've tried o-ringing the fire ring on a composite gasket with little success. Essentially I'm trying to run a streetable head combination carrying coolant but with a 13:1 compression ratio. My car has to run cool and consistently to be successful in bracket racing. It is maddening that I've overcome many obstacles to get this combo working good and be held up by a cheezy gasket.
