Ok, so tell me, what does changing the piston do that the head gasket doesn't? You're still working with an open chambered head that has no quench, so there is nothing to be gained by changing the piston versus changing head gaskets. The intake manifold would not need cut because the head is raised. It would actually need a thicker gasket. As far as pushrods go, is that really going to be more expensive than pulling the motor out of the vehicle and completely redoing the rotating assembly, balancing and all (yes, it will need a rebalanced with a heavier dished piston)? Replacing the heads would at least afford quench, but it would still need a different piston to keep compression down.
The problem here is that you didn't just give a different opinion. You specifically called a solution I gave to the OP as half assed. That, my friend, is an insult to someone who does this work every day for a living. I don't mind a different opinion, and welcome it, but I can back up my approach with scientific fact. If you can tell me in theoretical terms how volume in the gasket is different than volume in the piston, when quench is not in the picture, I'd be open to hearing it.
As far as closing my shop because of someone's opinion, that isn't going to happen. I was facetiously alluding that I might as well close up shop, and Cometic as well, if our work and products are half assed. Fortunately, my business is thriving because of exactly the opposite.
I am having a bit of a "Monday" here, so I apologize if my tone is a bit edgy, but calling my work, and knowledgeable, experienced advice half assed is sure to get a sharp response, no matter what my mood may be.