so i recently acquired a 86 4runner that was rebuild by previous owners(a shop did the work). i was told the head is a aftermarket replacement and the block was resurface because of warping plus the usual things done when rebuilding. so now there is a shim to compensate for it.

so the PO drove for 8k miles then after mudding the headgasket went out. so now i have to replace it .

so my question is is it better to get a thicker hg and get rid of the shim or stick with oem thickness and use a shim again. i never delt with a shim before