The head bolts are a 'triple square' head, common on German automobiles. It looks like a torx, but is not a torx, nor is it an internal 12-pt. The edges are truly square, so attempting to use anything but the appropriate bit will cause you issues. I bought mine from Amazon, and believe they were 12mm (was glad I got a set, cause everything I found said they were 10mm, but they most definitely were not.) Try to remove as much oil out of the heads of the bolts as you can before you start, otherwise the hydraulic pressure created when you insert the bit may not allow a full 'bite' of the bit, and could lead to a stripped head.

This is the set I bought...and have since misplaced the 12mm. O.o lol http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-80572-8-Inch-2-Inch-Metric/dp/B000NIAIJC/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1367246079&sr=1-7&keywords=triple+square+socket

I used a Fel-Pro gasket set and have had no issues. One thing I discovered (the second time I had the head off) was that there is a small (1/4" or so) vertical passage between the head and the block, directly under the thermostat housing's location. Mine was clogged with crud. After cleaning it out, my choke kicks off more quickly. Must be the bypass or something. Also, there are no locating dowels for the head gasket. I carefully set my head down and had no issues, others have used old head bolts and made locating 'studs' out of them by welding extensions to the top.

Here's hoping it's as simple as a head gasket, and that you require no machine work or other parts. Good luck!

What's the name of the shop in Nashville?

I'll second that unleaded fuel statement. When driving a '74 2.3 the mileage between yanking head got less and less, about 35000 on low lead, and then about the time they announced ALL lead was gone that mileage had dropped to like 15000 miles. Doing a head ever year then, what a crock. You shoulda seen the exhaust valves, they dropped like 1/16" plus in that year. Bad enough the tips got taller to use up lifter internal length then valve starts hanging open to burn.