i am seriously thinking about puting my o-ringed head off my 98 motor on my 95 motor. do i need a special head gasket or can i use a standard stock gasket? any thoughts? thank you

 

I run a stock head gasket. I used a .030 deep groove with stainless wire at .040. So about .010 wire protrusion. I copper sprayed the gasket, let it sit for about 30 min then put in. Arp head studs ofcourse.

 

Was the head from your 98 planed? If yes, use a 0.010 over marine gasket with fresh rings. It used to be item #3283337 but knowing Cummins they may have superceded to something new.
Once the head is cut, you cannot go without rings.

 

You need a thicker hd gasket if you cut the block not the head if you plane the head you need to sink the valves to the amount that was taken off the head. The block should also be marked what was thken off.