I'll try to keep this short. I'm having trouble getting the head to sit flat with no gasket on the left bank (either head fits fine on the right bank).

I checked all the obvious (intake valve hitting edge of cylinder, deck straightness, head straightness, dowel pin height).

If I lay the head on the dowels, I can get a .002" gauge in around the head. If I snug the two end valley nuts and one outer stud, I can get the gauge in. If I do the same with two of the inner Cometic layers (.010") I can get the gauge in.

Now, if I put the head on with no gasket and install the two outer middle studs (rocker gear studs) and front outer stud and snug the nuts with a wrench, the head sits perfectly flat (I can't get a .0015" feeler anywhere around the head).

I think the dowel holes in the deck are not straight. Since it pulls down flat with a few bolts with no gasket, is this acceptable to use?

I guess I never noticed this before because all I've ever done is check the dowel depth and deck flatness. I never actually tried to rock the head around on the deck.

Do you have a 24 inch or longer straight edge? If so check the block for straightness on both sides and the heads, just to make sure. I would rather see both surfaces perfectly flat before using and assembling the motor Besides, Murphy hates me, .0015 dip on the block and me using Cometic it would leak water inside the motor