COMETIC is what i used with a regular intake gasket.
I had blown two head gaskets prior to the cometics and had a unique situation where a multi layered steel gasket was my only realistic option. My block had reciever grooves for an o-ring, when the grooves were machined the machinist did not correctly center the bore on my number 3 cyl. This caused pressure to go under the o-ring, which is what pushed the gasket out.
I tell you this, because it is hit or miss to get a MLS gasket to seal without proper machining(they need a finish of 50ra i believe) on the surface of the block and the heads, I just bolted them on and took a chance cause i was out of money and didnt want to sink any more into my current motor. Even cometic told me it wasnt going to work, but it did.
Head studs also help in the grand scheme of things. Why are you changing gaskets? did you blow a set?
since i have it apart to change a lifter, i just won't to button it back up tight.... i also have a cooling issue and i won't check the head gaskets...