exhaust leak at head. integral head?

knew i would have surprises, but never looked at intake. had exhaust leak i was sure was just the donut, its not. havent had a chevy 6 in 20 years, runs good and figured if it made it until winter, i would hop up a 292 or just install a carbed 350. not sure, but guessing exhuast is cracked above donut. does that mean i need a new head? already saw in old posts that old/original head will work, would that be better? hate to tear it apart over exhaust leak, options/ suggestions?

These were famous for that - if redoing it?? u need the seperate head & manifolds- can get spendy unless u score or someone has some

car-part.com lists both for less than 100 to over 300 used. remans. are over 300.00 plus shipping. not sure if an 8 will end up in there eventually. the built 6's are cool, but parts are more than the v8 and less power. cam kit, headers, and intake are all just under 300 ea. plus motor to put it on. didnt want to swap engine now, so new head would be easiest. since both are about same price, what are advantages/disadvantades of each. dont wanna buy another cracked manifolld, but exhust may not line up with the other head.

found the non-integrated head, only problem is it comes with a 292. somebody convince me to just swap the head before i get the 250 out.

If it runs good, find a good welding shop and have it fixed. A good welder can weld cast iron.

have a mig and a stick welder, but am not a good welder, ok at best. if i have to pull the head to fix it, its probably easier to just bolt on another. have a trip planned to junkyard for "better" bumpers and some seats so will price the head, intake and exhaust. i did find a complete 292 for 300.00 so might just grab it. if i swap the motor, it would get a cam installed first. in a car, i could swap motor quicker than head. not sure thats the case here.