I forgot who mentioned it, I'm sure it's an old trick...
I believe they cleaned the area of all the old oil w/ some type of solvent, then dusted everything with talcum powder and rode it to get it warmed up. The talc shows up the oil leak really well. Sounds like a pretty good way to spot the leak(s) if you're still hunting them with the oily pant leg/shoe method
Could open it up and check the torque on the bolts, probably won't spoil any other gaskets.
A gasket kit and other little things for the top end job isn't too pricey, good weekend project.
But like OldSchool said, check the compression too. It'd be a shame to fix just a leaky head gasket and put it all back to find out later you've got worn rings or something
If it turned out to just be a gasket ($), you could get it all done in a day for not too much effort, basic tools, a little torque wrench and some feeler gauges should be about it.
Of course, then you gotta look at the valves, see if they need a good lappin', that'd be another little bit-o-$$
Check cylinder head for warping, might need planing ($$$) (unless you use the old 'sandpaper technique', only $)
It may not be actually that bad, but the compression test could tell you more.
Also, when you got the head off you can test the seal of the valves w/ acetone.
I'm not sure how to add links, but there's several threads on this site about all this stuff.
I don't know what shipping would be on that engine from Portland, how many stamps would that be...
-Tim
