Typicly for me i just clean the head up as best as possible with gasket cleaner and a metal putty knife ( if you use one be carefull not to scratch the alum head ) and i do the same with the block, be carefull not to get the gasket cleaner/remover on anything else as it may eat it up. once done if no warpage of the head you should be able to reassemble with no ill effect's just follow the tourqe specs to a T which are listed in the FAQ. thats what i have done, people do it all different ways.