Copper-Kote kicks booty! I've used it on head gaskets for years without an issue. I even got a Peugeot Diesel head to seal after repeated tries with different makes of gaskets and other alternative Voo Doo. I also used it on my 617 intake/exhaust gasket but I haven't started the engine yet so I can't swear for the results.

As far as fasteners - McMaster is, of course, a great choice or there's always APR. The ARP stuff exceeds aircraft requirements and they are probably as tough a fastener as you can find anywhere, including Germany. Virtually all NHRA and NASCAR teams run them and they don't use what doesn't work.

As far as torque - as mentioned, you really can't get a torque wrench on many of those fasteners anyhow. In the old Chrysler service manuals they used to specify "mechanic's torque" on many fasteners such as pan bolts, front cover bolts, etc. You develop a feel for what's appropriate after you do this for a while. You might want to teach yourself what, say, 25-30 foot lbs. feels like by clamping a nut in the vice and torquing a bolt into the nut at say, 25 ft/lb. Then grab your ratchet or end wrench or whatever weapon you intend to use and see what it takes to just move that bolt - you'll be at about 30 ft/lb once it moves a tad. That 25/30 ft/lb (or whatever that is in metric) is a decent starting place and you're not likely to break anything with that "feel".

Good luck

Dan