True, but I just need one truck.... That I know, intimately.
I love a good driveway tinker project... The wife, not so much
My only issue now, it that I'll probably have to tow the truck to the shop to get the block pulled and new one dropped, it will add a little to the price but I don't have room to get the new engine to the front of the truck where it is now.
Probably have them slap the heads back on before they drop it in just to save head bolt frustration.
Ill give an update so that others can learn from my mistakes

 

Sure, that's the block side of left (odd) bank ill snap some closeups when the sun comes up a bit more.

 

See that one larger hole in between 3-5? It looks, in the pic, like there is some material worn away there..

turn your cell phone camera settings up as well, if they are down, I know the site will probably reduce the image...

does any part of that gasket look compromised?

 

Closeups of left bank block side of head gasket

 

not really.
no evidence of blow-by or water jacket leaking.
they are dirty with oil and some coolant that spilled out of the heads as I was lifting them out, but otherwise, they seem fine to my untrained eyes.

 

Yea they do look somewhat decent there is a piece of material missing at the one hole, do you see it?

I would still put it together and see what happens. Drive it for a couple days, take the spark plug out and borrow a borescope or buy a cheap cell phone borescope. Look back in your cylinders and see what is happening.

I "understand" things happen with overheating, but the way everyone jumps to it right away is disheartening. It DOESN'T happen that often.

You could get the block pressure tested etc...