So, I went through the boxes and didn't find the piston, wrist pin, or pin bearings.  I'm wondering if something went really bad up top.  So, yeah, I think I'll split it.  Posts here suggest it's not too tough to do with the proper tools and being careful.  Any tips?  As for the head, how could the head have gotten so damaged?  Looking on ebay, heads for auction there are dinged the same way.  Does combustion over time just cause this to happen?