Help me diagnose why my head gasket blew

That is what I was thinking also. They are aftermarket rods though, K1 H-beams, If I remember correctly. I think it was something that I would of had to ask to have done, with the machinist I took it to.

Even good quality aftermarket rods (like K1) can vary. Stroke equalization is pretty important, imo. That combined with an uneven deck will throw off your compression. If it were me, I wouldn't just throw head gaskets back on it, and run it.