thx guys, this had me worried a bit

cylinder head teardown question
 

Jeez! I wonder if there was enough clamp-up to stop the head from warping , may be a good idea to check it out on a surface table ( or a plate of supported thick glass as a quick check ) .Also check for corrosion pitting at the gasket face and valve /seat faces /carbonised oil seals . Jelly paint stripper is good for softening carbon on metal ,--keep away from plastics ,-it eats that! -- : apply by brush , leave for a while and then wash off with water and dry , protect your hands and face especially your eyes! - at ALL times .