My only worry with stock HG's is all it takes is one event of overheating to crush the armor to the same thickness as the body. The pre flattened wire ring offers some protection to this as well as more of a bending moment = sealing pressure. I will need to think about your input in using the stock gasket since I have the stock gaskets already with the Full set.
Mike, I'm in the very NW burbs of Chicago so its somewhat of a haul. I just decided to purchase a newly rebuild distributor from Ames for $65 bucks. I think that is a good deal since buying a core and rebuilding it with new parts would cost me just as much or more. Also got a few other things like the adjustable keyway timing gear/chain, distributor vacuum lines fuel pump and line blah, blah, blah...that will be $460 dollars sir... WHAT!
I also learned today that my 400 had a 3 piece oil dipstick tube. I was not aware of that since the P.O. decided to use copper tube as the lower tube. Learn something new every day...