Can't see you getting off easy with a dead cylinder. There is an outside chance it could be the intake valve not opening, or the exhaust valve sticking. I sort of buy the head gasket theory because the neighboring plugs are crudded up.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe