If you have more time than money (lately I have neither) you can cut your own head gasket.
I've used annealed copper flashing for gasket material for turbochergers, kind of a more severe aplication than a head gasket. Less intricate though.
I got mine from a local building contractor, they had it in a couple thicknesses and it came with plastic on both faces (to keep it from scratching, it's decorative for them after all).
Glad to hear you got your studs ordered. Hope they do all you want them to.
