Interesting…..I was there 17 years ago. I ended up putting out of the box Stealths on a used short block with Cometic MLS gaskets. The .027 thickness in order to get quench as my pistons are only .017 in the hole.
But my short block had previously been rebuilt and the deck surface looked and felt pretty darn smooth so I risked it. They are fine to this day. I did take the three sheets of gaskets apart and sprayed all sides with copper coat.
They do not recommend cosmetics unless a very smooth surface is present.