My experience with copper head gaskets is on a very limited and specific basis, namely high compression race motors. Head gaskets made of copper are often used in racing engines, usually in conjunction with O-rings to contain pressure where the possibility of a blown out gasket is high and potentially catastrophic. I am talking about solid head gaskets specifically, not composition gaskets clad in copper.
Solid copper gaskets will not burn out - which is GOOD.
Solid copper gaskets are hard to seal completely. There often is a small amount of seepage of compression gasses or coolant, which is BAD.
Solid copper gaskets work best when the copper is dead soft. But long term, they tend to work harden, which reduces their seal-ability further. They need to be removed periodically, annealed and cleaned and re-installed. BAD.
The composition gaskets clad in copper would be a better choice over solid copper for a streeter, but I question whether they would compare to the 1024 for pure ability to hold a seal. The 1024 is my go-to gasket for reliability.
Hope this helps.
