I should clarify something I said... New Factory OEM Yamaha copper head gaskets are usually pretty "soft" out of the package. I use those as-is.

In recent years the aftermarket copper gaskets that come in kits seem to be really "hard" copper... those I anneal new.

Ill ask this for you experts.. I tried heating one today with a torch for probably 3 or 4 minutes but it never got "red". Obviously it was very hot but never glowing red and then dropped it in cokd water. Do you guys think it will be ok even though it didnt reach the "red" ?

Is it soft?

You mean like can I easily bend it? Ill test it in the morning.

If I try to bend it it bends fairly easy with just my fingers

If it's on a thick piece of metal or your torch isn't hot enough,it might not work. The thick piece of metal soaks the heat up from the gasket.

Try hanging it from a bent piece of wire, it should heat pretty quick. Work around the radius you most likely will not get it all red at once, just where you pass your torch. Also, you don't have to quench it. The heating anneals it, quenching it after cleans residue off.