manifold removal - stuck on oversize stud

[JonE]

    Well, an update on this thread. I got to the stage of start up with a new-to-me proper A7nsize sidedraft carb, and as it didnt fire (havent so much as opened it up) I left it a week or two over Xmas. 

Today, 

1. water in ALL the tops of the sparkplug holes, and... (on removing them) 
2. water in the two centremost cylinders.

I have drained down, taken off head and dried everything. No water in oil seemingly.

My head gasket re-use was plainly a stupid idea as I now find a tiny split between stud and the smallest diameter water hole.. central and on the manifold side. (I just thought I should try using it at the time so I could destroy it if having to disassemble it all again.)

Before I put it all together, IS seepage through from water jacket to "that" neighbouring stud enough to cause all the observations, or can I assume that water must be seeping from top hose too? Or... from elsewhere?

Getting naffed off with all this. But I sense the end must be in sight.