Headgasket question

[Daotoad225]

I have a 1991 240sxse hatch 5spd

A while back I noticed that my car would every once in a while shudder,or misfire for a little while, then stop, also she would have the sameproblem when starting on a cold day, or on a damp day. I assumed itwas the injectors and I ignored the problem, figuring it would be okif I take it easy on her, till I have the money (and the time ) to replacethem. Two weeks ago, I was on my 30 mile drive home from work, theproblem got to the point where she started to shudder and did not stoplike she had been before... Reluctantly, and cautiously, I continuedthe 18 more miles home on what felt like I was on 3 cylinders.... SO, I decided it was time to investigate the problem a bit more. Myroommate tells me to "check the plugs for spark!", and as I'm removingthe spark plugs, I realize that they are not all going to come out very easily...... at all. At this point it is about time for a beer or three, and I come to terms thatI will probably not be driving my car for a while, and proceed to tear downto remove the head. Come to find out as soon as I got the head off ( about 3 beers later) Ivery quickly found out why the plugs would not come out, #2 had meltedto the head, and #3 had rusted to the head.. Anyways, I have sent the head to the shop. My question is about the headgasket. When I removed the one that was there, I noticed that allthe water jaeket holes were fill of crap.... Is there suppost to be holes inthe thing or not???

[180fan]

The water jackets should be clear of stuff except coolant.

[Daotoad225]

I understand about the water jacket around the cylinders, but what about the headgasket itself? is it suppost to have holes in it where the water jacket in the block and the water jacket in the head line up?

[Z U L8R]

yes