[Jazn671]

i agree and understand your concerns... so in conclusion, your decision to just use the girdle and head gasket is by no means a bad decision. i also understand you're willing to spend more now... but how much more? doing it right the first time can mean rebuilding an engine with a block girdle and thicker headgasket or a bulletproof block from aebs or ge or something along those lines... so no disrespect when i mention "budget". just saying...