Sounds like a solution looking for a problem. If cork wasn't effective, a few million mechanics over close to 100 years of building these engines must be way wrong. If you don't like the original gasket, use a bead of RTV and really make it look like a shade tree mechanic has been there. That's a lot simpler, quicker, and just as effective as whittling out a paper gasket.

Don't forget to adjust the height of the dipper troughs in the pan to compensate for any change in the block to pan relationship caused by any variation from original by the thickness of the gasket. I believe the factory setting gauge can still be rented from some of the resto-ripoff parts vendors with a big deposit.
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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