I am using stock head bolts with no problems. I have an Edmunds head that had to be cut over .050" to clean it up, and the top of the block is cut .020". Still not to 9:1 yet! It's difficult to get a lot of compression in these engines. I don't ever remember there being any real problem with head gaskets on these engines so I am not worried. Besides, if you ever have removed a head from an engine that has run a long time with studs (think street engine - not race engine), you'll go back to bolts in a hurry.
Jim
