Stacking/Shimming Head Gaskets

For those that have stacked head gaskets or added a spacer shim between two sets, did you change your torque spec any?

I'll be using a spacer shim & two-to-three sets of steel head gaskets on my build soon. I got to wondering about the torque spec & if it should increase since there is now more emboss-ment getting compressed.

Stock iron block with the deck milled down. Stock iron heads also milled. Stock head bolts & studs. This build isn't worth the price of MLS gaskets.

I did this once before just to get us through the weekend.. we ran the same torque on it.. its not advised but
you do what you have to

I have done it in the past (25 + years ago) with the old steel shim gaskets that came with every gasket kit ever made - used some spray copper-tack on them. With- low compression (less than 11-1) it usually would work if the decks were flat - with stock bolts and a milled deck just make sure they don't bottom out - I would use the factory torque - maybe go up 5 lbs - but no more

How much is the spacer shim? How thick do you need to go? I just counted $60 worth of head gaskets

I bought a parts lot for $50 that included about 1 & a half full engine builds worth of gaskets plus 3 sets of head gaskets and the spacer shims. The Cometics in the proper thickness would cost me over $100 each I think.

Get the cometics. Why guess if multiple gaskets will hold up or not. Could save you some headaches.