above deck ?

Demand a thicker gasket. They're just wanting some more $$$ on the deal. Machine work in house pays better than ordering gaskets in my opinion

Agreed, an extra $120. but as it was explained to me (with machine shop prejudice of course) the .011 thicker gaskets on all 8 cylinders would lower the compression much more than just spreading the whole out a little bit on each one of the heads openings?