[Healeys] Head gasket question

[Michael Oritt]

I have a DW "Fast Road" AL head on my 100 along with the DW metal
competition head gasket and high-strength head studs, nuts and washers. The
head and gasket have been on the car for at least ten years and frankly I
do not remember that I have ever retorqued it--or felt I had the need to.
However I just noticed that with the engine warm there is a slight bubbling
of air and seeping of oil right above the #2 spark plug, about where the
small square tab on the head gasket projects out from under the head. DW
claims that the metal head gasket is "reusable up to three times" so a
retightening of the nuts should certainly be "within limits".

My question is what procedure I should follow:

1. Should I do this with the engine hot or cold?
2. Should I drain down the water level or simply remove radiator cap?
3. Should I loosen, then retighten the nuts?
4. Is there any reason that the original head nut tightening sequence would
not apply?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Best--Michael Oritt
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