Head gasket replacement

Last week I posted about a coolant problem where the pressure bottle ('88 4.0 auto renix engine) was filling up then leaking from under the cap. After a new bottle (tried 2 plus about 4 different caps) , new rad,and new thermostat, I still have the same problem. It takes about 10-15 mins to fill the bottle to the top. It was suggested that the head gasket maybe leaking. I tried Bars gasket fix but that did nothing. Today I pulled the head and have a few questions based on what I found. How much build up of carbon and sludge is normal? She has about 167,000 mi on her and I`m the 3rd owner.





What solvent etc. can I use to clean this up? There are chuncks of carbon in the block and head.





Also on the manifold side of the head there are 2 short pins (I assume for alignment of the manifold/header) and a threaded stud towards the back. I assume the threaded stud is supposed to have a nut on it and it looks like it had a threaded stud toward the front ( looks to have been broken off sometime ago). I can find a nut for the rear stud but what do i do about the missing front one?

Just take it to a machine shop where they do head work and get them to clean it up for you, they'll make it look brand new.

Also use the search about head studs/bolts its a common problem with our 4.ooooooo's
For Example:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=933960