Cometic gasket trim with head installed?

Figured I'd ask before I remove the heads for the 3rd time. Any way to trim the gasket while assembled? I don't see any way. Should've paid attention to 440 Jim's thread. This is the 3rd pr of Cometic's on this engine. Never had the issue before. #4 and #5 exhaust pushrods hit the center portion of the gasket that doesn't set on the deck itself. Just hangs in the breeze. Any Ideas?
Doug

with the right tool bend it out of the way

Not sure how much room you have or how close you need to get to the side but possibly a knockout punch? Or as mentioned bend it (tapered drift)?

Carbide burr. Tape Everything off and let it eat

While holding the end of the shop-vac hose as close as possible.

No way would I get anywhere near that engine with a carbide burr during assembly.....

I have 7/16 pushrods and have always trimmed that center piece off that is basically useless with tin snips before I put them on Doug. Just did it tonight on mine. I think that is the spot you are referring too? Lift the pieces apart and do them separately.

Just pull them back off and get out the tin snips.

Take the heads off for pushrod clearance grinding

Boy am I dumb. Always think simple. Words to live by. I should pay attention to my own words. This is the 3rd pair of Cometics I've used in this motor. Never had an issue before. Pulled the heads trimmed the gaskets. Clamped the gaskets between two pieces of wood and cut off the excess. Deburred all 5 layers. The stainless center layer is tough. The piece I cut off looked symmetrical. Humm? Cleaned off the RTV from the valley plate. Relubed all the studs. Reinstalled and torqued the heads. Number 5 pushrod still looked odd. upon looking further I see the issue. The motor has off set cups in the intake lifters. I had the #5 lifter pair rotated around with the exhaust and intake lifters swapped. Getting old. Should have investigated further. Anyway is all together except the pan and oil pump.
Doug

I've never made any mistakes That I didn't regret later
Your still human Glad you caught it

Doug, who's mandrel and pulley do you have?

GZ mandrel and front Pulley. My friend Paul made the larger rear alternator pulley. It had a GZ alternator pulley that was smaller in diameter.
Doug