Just to clear this mess up some..... I have seen gasket sets ranging from $270.00 up to and over $900.00 depending on where you shop. I have also priced individual head gaskets through tractor supply sources going for $100+ each. I got my gaskets from FreightTrain through the kindness of his heart for free. Granted, they are the older type of gaskets, but the majority of these did hold tight for their intended applications.
I know the caliber of some of the individuals who the govt. has rebuild these engines and I have personally seen the mixing and interchange of internal components in these engines. It is a grab-bag of re-used parts mixed and matched from bins. No wonder they are prone to failures way before the potential of these fine machines. I am not saying that if you get a overhauled can engine it will not last forever. However, If I do the overhaul myself and it fails, it is my own fault. Call me old fashioned, whatever. If you want it done right(or at least the way "you" want it done), do it yourself. COOP