Fixed and working again...

I used hylomar gasket spray, put the new gasket on the right way, then torqued the head.  I ran the engine until warm and let it cool down overnight.  I re-torqued it, adjusted the valves and she purrs like a kitten. Well, a 50 year old toothless lion.
Just for fun I used the crank handle to start her up.  I can strike that off the list of 100 things to do before I die.

Is the block true?

I ran a straight rule over the block and head.  The head was surfaced last year, so it is not surprising to see that it is pretty flat. 

The block is not so flat (see the streak of light under the rule close to where the gasket blew).  

Hmmm.. not good!  Do I want to take the engine out to get it machined? Not really!

UPDATE: I measured the gap, it was under .002 of an inch, which is in the tolerance range, so I will just clean up the block and try again.  The chaps down at the head joint will clean up the head.  They kindly told me that I had put the gasket in upside down last time... Copper side UP is the correct way. 

They also suggested the spray hylomar gasket prep. on both sides of the gasket before fitting.  Also to countersink the stud holes. 

Compression depression

Bugger.  I have been having such fun with the van.  Suddenly she dropped power and was running rough.  Nothing obviously wrong.

A compression test revealed 0 psi in cylinders 2 and 3.  120is in 1 and 4.  Hmmm.  Head gasket?

If so, why?

Any ideas out there?