[Vwdiesel] More Dasher?

[William J Toensing]

As Loren put it, "You need X amount of strength under Y amount of load". I was thinking about this prior to reading his message  & did some measuring. I have a ruler that measurers in both inches & millimeters, so will give my measurements in millimeters. Depth of 11mm holes in block & thread depth of  the 11mm & 12mm bolts/studs, 29mm. Depth of bolts below head with washer which measurers from 3.5mm to 4mm, 15mm.  The gasket appears to have blown due to a weakness in the two front threads in the block as well as threads on the second to front, drivers side. The drivers side front bolt hole feels looser than the rest of the bolt holes which feel snug. Since the larger the bolt & bolt holes, I just wonder if I shouldn't go to 1/2" 51/4" long studs along with new hardened washers? 1/2' appears to be a little under 13mm, maybe about 12.8mm which should be easier to source or get 12 mm studs, re tapping all the bolt holes to 12mm, since I have tapped the two stripped block holes to 12mm already. The bolt holes in the head will handle 1/2" bolts already.  The depth of the head from the top to bottom of the bolt holes appears to be 78mm. The thickness of the head gasket appears to be about 1mm so I think 1/2" or even 12mm studs would provide greater strength. If I go to 1/2" studs, can I retap the 12mm block holes to 1/2" or should I drill & Hilo-coil them? 
Your opinions please.