220 isn't that much in my opinion. That wouldn't blow the head gasket, but probably got that hot because of the gasket. My car gets near that temp when it's running perfectly fine.
If I remember correctly the Haynes manual has pretty low torque numbers. With iron heads most guys on Turbomustang and myself torque to roughly 85 on the bottom row and 95 on the top with ARP bolts. I use Felpro 9333-PT1's and swear by them. Did you cleans the surfaces very very very well?
Also, with 10 base timing with no tune, it wouldn't take much at all to blow a gasket. I had my timing off one time and blew it within one mile at quarter throttle. Blew in like 2 spots. If your spout was in and you gave it jsut a touch too much it could easily blow due to the timing being WAY to high once it gets advanced.