All,
It's a 46AX Max.
Jaka-did all the above with exception I was using a longer plug with an idle bar (can't remember the brand offhand). I'm going to try just an A3 plug.
Bax-the gasket may have been there as you suggested. I went ahead and ordered one. I might very well have a warped head from overheating...
Thanks all for the thoughts. I'll update once I see if anything changes.