Well made some progress anyway. Last night after work I got after it and removed the exhaust manifold (broke one of the 6 studs) and got the Heads off. Head Gasket was bugger'd up on the last cylinder next to the firewall #7 cylinder I believe. I thought I pulled the Head off cleanly but I may have caught the gasket somehow? All the metal rings in the gasket were intact except for that last one that was a little bent up. I thought I would be able to tell if there was a leak between the #1 and #3 cylinder but nothing caught my attention. The #3 cylinder had the busted rocker arm.

So questions or comments from you gentlemen if you don't mind:

Piston tops are almost black as well as the bottom of the heads. Is this a cause for concern? What is the best way to clean them up?

Cylinder walls look very clean and felt smooth with no grooves.

Is there anything else I should be paying attention too?

Is there any certain Gaskets etc. I should use on reassembly or can I just go to the local O'riellys for what I need.

Let me know what you think?

Thanks,