Working at a Machine Shop years ago the Assistant Supervisor to the Maintenance department torqued the head on his sons prelude where he didn't need to use a head gasket. The gasket was going. He removed it and just torqued the hell out of the head and it ran fine like that for years. Probably to this day that car is still on the road who knows. Haven't seen him since 05. Having a motor without a head gasket isn't anything new to me. I've seen it done before.