Copper coat gasket compound

[fastback4]

Anyone suggest using Copper coat gasket compound for installing the head gaskets. I'm told to coat both sides of the head gasket, let dry tacky, and install head.......

And another question. If machine shops insist on using a head shim when a head has been machined to achieve flatness (say 0.020 max.) why is there no gasket in between the block and the shim? The stacking order is block, shim, head gasket, head............Tom

[86FieroSEv6]

The block doesn't "grow" as much and consequently is a more stable sealing surface. Alternatively, there are gaskets with a larger compressed thickness to achieve the same effect. Personally, I'd rather have a head straightened if I'm concerned with upsetting the compression ratio or the quench area volume.