The skip that wont go away

SO I am begining to think that my skipping engine is due to a blown head gasket. I have not been able to make it go away. I replaced the plugs and wires yesterday and there is no change. I have had a bunch of liquid coming out of the LH tail pipe, and it seams from touching the headers that the # 1 tube is not as hot as the rest. I do not have a compression tester otherwise I would have checked it. So I have a couple of questions.

Are head gaskets issues common?
Should I expect some form of head damage?
Think I can get away with just a gasket swap?
Is it me or is this a good time to install the F-body heads I have had for years?
Cam?

Any input is welcome.

I think Autozone has a "loaner" compression tester. I also have one you could borrow.

You sure it's not the opti?

I have a compression tester if you'd like to borrow it.

toomanytoyz wrote:

You sure it's not the opti?

I have a compression tester if you'd like to borrow it.

I was going to say the same thing. Check opti, or injector on that cylinder.

Head gasket failure is not a common problem, but it does happen. If it turns out to be the head gasket, then now would be a great time to loose the cast iron heads.