Any advice at all? In relation to timing chain, how hard is headgasket?

A guy I know can work me in his shop on a saturday for a good rate. Couple of guys I know are saying so long as the truck didn't overheat, just slap a new gasket in there. I'm a touch skeptical but I don't know if I would be better off putting a new head on an old block or not -> fearful that a new head might cause the old short block to fail prematurely.

Anybody out there just slap new gasket in there and roll with it?

thanks!

For Sale or Trade
33" AT Winston Wheelers. Nearly New.
all stock except for 4.88s...