1982 Suzuki GS850GL | Exhaust Crush Gasket Removal from Hell or Worse?

I had a bit of an exhaust leak a couple of weeks ago coming from the header pipes. So I decided I would go ahead and change out the crush gaskets. But upon investigation, they seem to be stuck in there is the most ungodly way (link to pictures below). I've been trying to get them loose with PB Blaster, flat head screwdriver, right-angle picks, vice grips, etc. No luck. Would taking a torch to them do the trick?

Or... did the previous owner not have crush gaskets in there at all and I've just been destroying a part of the head that looks like crush gaskets. The bits that I've dug into seem to be soft aluminum (good sign that they are the old gaskets I hope?).

http://imgur.com/a/LnlJf