Heads and block deck are well within spec for flatness so no need there.

 

UPDATE: Gaskets replaced and we are back in business. Some valves needed lapping and tightness checked on rockers, push rods, etc. Something must have been loose because the engine is much quieter now and that annoying "tick" has completely gone away. All cylinder sleeves where checked and there was not indication that they moved so that was not the source of the tick.

One curious thing is that my temps are higher than before with the 180 tstat. Was 188 to maybe 205 on a hot summer day, now I am in the 200 to 220 range. Got no trapped air, hoses are correctly attached., no coolant leaks or lose and fans spin when they should....at a loss on this one.

 

Is it a motorad t-stat or oem gray t-stat? Some people have had issues with the motorad version of the 180 degree thermostat.

 

Grey OEM. The radiator is a year old, but I checked the lower hose and it was colder than the rest.