Expectations w/ new heads & gaskets

ok,..so in case people might recall my thread about the "97 explorer hesitation / bucking", i had to get a new head due to a cracked one, but i had my mechanic do both heads and the gaskets. He's an ace and i trust his work.

My question to you all is what should i expect with brand new heads and gaskets? Better performance? Worse? Should i be careful at first? Should i look for particular problems? Is there a problem(s) that are associated with new heads and gaskets? Or am i being paranoid and could run it for another 125k?

Im planning on selling it soon. Will it look more appealing with new heads and gaskets? The rest of the ride is mint and is all HW miles and never ever ever abused.

Well,...i got the Explorer back...new heads, gaskets, all the works.

It "ticks" a little loudly,....louder than b4, but rides smooth as if it was new.

Any thoughts on the ticking? The new valves possibly?

Thanks!