Help me diagnose why my head gasket blew

I reckon it depends on where the deck is NOW. If it was zero decked last time, then it's toast, unless you want a positive deck height. That's ok if you have room for the increased compression.......but you have to wonder how much it is going to take to get that block back straight again. I guess it's a good thing you found out like this, instead of a pile of mangled parts under the car. It could always be worse. Good luck with it and please keep us posted.