You need 3.0 head gaskets - the piston holes in the 2.5's will be too small. All other gaskets should be same between the two motors. I used 2.5 gaskets everywhere else.

Dunno about plugging passages. I bought mine that way.

1998 Silver Frost SVT Contour born on...8/28/01[/i]
American Iron Shootout Radial Tire 2 Class Champion, Cecil County Dragway April 20, 2002