Im putting together an ls/vtec motor and im about to slap the head on. I am using an OEM 3-ply gasket. There are 4 small brass rings that are on the headgasket, will these prevent the gasket from sealing? Do I need to remove them and if so how, looks like they are in there pretty good.

 

those rings keep the 3 layers of the gasket together, if you want to "modify" the stock gasket to a 2 or 1 layer then the rings must be removed, but leave them on if you are using it like intended

 

One more question, i have a 00si head with very low miles on it. Do I still need to remove the oil control orifice and replace the o-ring or should it be fine?

 

as long as u havent removed the orifices u should b fine.