peevee - nope strangely enough it wasnt that one missing the seal - it was the cylinder 3 (left of pic)....

Heres another pic....you can see its had room to crease!!



I agree that the cylinder pressure has pushed it out which leads me to either think....

1.) My torque wrench is fooooked (odd but possible its not that old either!)

2.) I hadnt re-torqued the head down again after running it up like recommended BUT I've never done this in the past until I've done about 1000miles usually and its been fine in the past!!

Chip......this it basically the king of 21T gaskets - thickest strongest one you can get from France.

Jamz - not copper - 'Treated inox' apparently.

Bloody cars!!!