Reply to "Weber carbs - owners speak out"

I believe that the gaskets are an asbestos "alloy".
They are hinda hard but they have some crushabilaty to them. They aren't quite 1/4" thick, maybe 3/16".
The Webers will work with just about anything, or can be made to.
I didm't mean to be preaching to anyone about what a Weber engine should be. There are some pretty hot hydraulic cams. I've run them to 7000 with the proper valve springs. I don't like them because you don't get 100% of the lift you are supposed to because they work on oil pressure.
I understand your indecision on an engine. There are a lot of possibilities out there. For every combination you come up with, there seems to be a better one.
Keep in mind that the most expensive component by far to the drive train is the ZF. I don't pretend to be able to tell you how much power it will take. I do know that Ford ran the ZF behind the 289's in the GT40's. They were around 400hp but not a lot of torque. In 68 it was called a Gulf (after the sponser, Gulf Oil). They ran a Boss 302' at about 425hp but still not a lot of torque.
Ford built it's own transaxle for the GT40 427 Mark II's in '65, and it was a 4 speed using the internal components from the "top loader transmission". Those at most were 500hp, but made aa much torque.
I would think that should tell you something about the ZF's durabilaty or doubtabilaty. In other words, look out for a lotta cubes, you will break it.
A broken ZF is a very expensive proposition.