You must be doing something wrong, I get head all the time!

And now, for some pictures! I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted, due to having to strip down the old head for the valve springs and retainers. The valve spring clamp I have is rather tricky to use without marfing up the edges of the cylinder head. Doable, just have to do a few not in order. Anyway, got the new (original) head ported. Took two tries on that. Started, then checked the gasket again and didn't cut wide enough, so held the gasket on with some spacers and bolts and recircled it again. This time it's perfect. I'm almost thinking of installing a dowel in the intake manifold so I don't have to worry about lining it up so it's perfectly round. We'll see.

This is how much needs to be trimmed off the stock L square exhaust gasket if using the round port header.

A sewing store has great scissors for cutting gaskets. A variety helps. Remember, if cutting metal gaskets, these wear out fairly quickly. The curved jaw little scissors are ideal. I finally broke them this time around. It would be nicer to have a straight paper gasket for easier cutting, but alas I only had the fel-pro in my parts room.

Aluminum shavings get EVERYWHERE. Including shirts. Wash these clothes in a separate load.

All the little head bits disassembled from the old Ugly Betty head.

I did dink this intake port edge just slightly. I'm sure it will still seal. Annoyed me, the football bit slipped out just a hair.

Almost ready to put the valve springs back in! Pay close attention when doing so. Don't want to scratch the newly cut head surface! The stock head was warped pretty badly from the original detonation-melting of #6. Ended up clearing approximately .018 off it to get it straight again. Not using shims, will just adjust chain slack and fiddle with offset dowel to get appropriate cam position.
So there you go! Progress!