Thanks for the advice everyone! That's a good idea to show the pics to a machine shop...I will try to do that next week.

Nato, I have never used a ridge reamer before, but it seems that using one of those to get rid of the "dent" would result in the entire edge of the head gasket sticking out around the top of the cylinder a little....which seems like it could lead to more problems? I could be off base though, since I have never used one and am not that familiar with how they work.

Troopersphere, those marks you were asking about are not scratches in the metal...I think it was a result of the coolant leaking in and causing some discoloration. When I run my finger over the area it is perfectly smooth. In regards to my last post, you had asked if my rear-most exhaust manifold stud was broken...it was! Just an FYI I forgot to mention to you. Thanks again for the advice everybody...if anyone else has ideas I'd love to hear them! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />