Here we go again. Its acting up worse this time!

I think I'd do a little more diagnosing first before I pulled the head. If it's burning oil through the rings, changing a head gasket isn't going to help that. If the oil is diluted, it will burn oil....even with good rings. Change it and the filter and then give it a good run. When it cools down, give it a wet and dry compression test so you know where you stand. You can check a metal fuel filter without cutting it open. Just tap the inlet side nipple into the palm of your hand and see if anything comes out. If you get a lot of foreign junk out, you need a new one anyway, so go ahead and cut it open with a hack saw for further inspection.