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Kinda hard to tell much about the head gasket from your pictures…But, it does look “brittle” perhaps from overheating…And yeah, the passages need to be cleaned out….Back to your previous comment about the head bolts, be sure that cylinder head surface is flat. “Dress” the head with some fine emery on a surface plate/flat surface to ensure it is flat prior to reassembly. And yes, replace the exhaust manifold gaskets as well. Did you figure out if you were missing parts from the thermostat?
Am hoping that resurfacing the cylinder head with a new head gasket will solve this issue…
Keep in mind what I said about overheat issues on these engines. Probably time for a water pump, and possibly the troublesome upper water tube grommet as well…But, for now, let’s be sure the water leakage issue is resolved…Again, any signs of overheat? Melted coils, wiring harness?