Munchies

I have an Isky groove-matic.
I hear the BEST way to do fire-rings is to cut the groove into the block.
My plan is this.

1. Deck the block JUST enough to true it.
2. Broach holes in head for 14mm head studs.
3. Drill and tap the block for fat studs
4 .Mill the head just enough for trueness
5. Use a flatout copper gasket in .0XX thickness

Questions.
1.What would you change?
2. How thick is the stock gasket? I want to lower the compression A bit. i will use rv275 pistons. How much do they lower compression?
3. What size wire should I use for the rings, and what material?
4. How much protrusion from the block should I set the rings up for?
5. What do I spec my gasket for, as far as the fire rings go, just tell them how much protrusion I will have?

Also, flatout has some exhaust manifold gaskets. I cant keep mine sealed, I have soot all over my engine bay.
They have a few styles, who is using them?

thanks! heh

Muddin_dude06

On a 12v the stock gasket once crushed was .060" and the wire we used on my firering was .108" , I forgot how deep the groove was though... Don't use a copper headgasket unless this is a racing only truck. Use a 12v Marine headgasket that is the appropriate thickness. If you only want to lower the compression a little bit then use the .020 Marine HG and call it good IMO. Also don't forget to sink the valves deeper into the head the same amount you took off of it to make it true.