im changing out the blown head gasket on my wifes tracker 16 valve, it has sludge oil/water/antifreeze everywhere ive pulled the head, drained the radiator and oil pan..... im going to clean the head and block check for warpage and cracks, shoul i flush the radiator with a hose or wait till its back together, whats the best way to get the sludge out i thjought about pouring a couple quarts through the head once its back on and letting it come out the bottom, also the best way to check for cracks my plan was to clean it up with laquer or brake cleaner and look through a magnify glass, any comments or suggestions are welcome thanks in advance

anyone?

I am a "NEWBIE" here, but built many a diesel and chevy engine.  Over 30 years fixin diesels.  Best bet is to figure out where the leak came from.  Flush the radiator, head and block out when apart.  It seems you know it came from the head gasket.  You should be able to see where the leak was by looking at the head gasket or block or head as to where the leak started.
  I have just got a '87 tin top.  rebuilding a week motor.  Got the gaskets, pistons, bearings, new exhaust valves, new heavy duty clutch and a new rear seal waiting for me at Petroworks in Fallbrook.  They are just 20 miles from here in San Marcos, CA.  Picking the stuff Saturday morning, hope by Sunday afternoon if the NASCAR race does not distract me to have it ready to bolt in!!!
 

    i would have the head checked by a machine shop.not very expensive,and worth it since it is easy to miss a small crack or warp.Flush the crap out of the radiator and heater core,hoses,etc,as well as the block.I would check the thermostat and temp sending for gunk as well.

thanks guys i flushed it out and pured 2 quarts through it with the drain plug out put it back together and it fired first try drove it all over today runs super good i wish my other tracker had a 16 valve its so peppy

For future ref...

Just wipe down the stuff you can see. No need to even flush it out really. Water in the engine is a natural ocurance - when you get the vehicle to operating temp, it just evaporates, runs through the PCV, gets combusted, and shoots out the exhaust. Just drive the truck around for a while and the engine will self-purge.