Who here runs an O-Ringed block? Leaking head gasket problem!

In my experience, the only time I have seen a copper head gasket not leak water is in a blown alcohol set up with no water to leak!

I have dealt with this on a few occasions. I found a solid strand copper wire slightly larger in diameter than the o-ring groove and after removing the steel wire, I tapped the copper wire into the groove. I then resurfaced the deck and used an MLS head gasket. I've done two small block Ford blocks and an early set of hemi heads this way, all have sealed up just fine!