just in process of having head gasket done on my 2wd saff ... spec.. rebuilt bottom end 4x4 pistons ... t38 greys ... genuine 500 cooler ...the car ran 24 lb boost went very well but let go on recent track day... my friend who is doing the gasket for me rang today and said the gasket was black all along exhaust side of gasket... and very minor marks on pistons 3 and 4 nothing to worry about ..he races cars and rebuilds engines regularly... he is getting head skimmed for me and having valves reseated cut i think thats the term for it...my mate has a set of double valve springs ... should i fit them to help/stop valves hitting pistons ...the car revs to 7750 at moment which i think is a little too high..he said the double springs he has are ones that dont need machining to fit...helpfull input please cheers jeff

 

most if not all Cossie have had a slight kiss of the valve to piston contact so nothing to worry about, regarding double valves springs really depends on what spec cams your using Imo!