Always glad to hear about success! Another thing I learned recently that I need to add to an article:
1) Remove the intake/exhaust manifolds and take them all apart. Good time to order a new gasket set, damper spring, studs for the exhaust, etc. before you start.
2) Check for cracks, paint as you wish then install the new gasket between the intake/exhaust and keep that connection a little less than finger tight.
3) Put the alignment rings back in and the new gaskets with no sealer. Reinstall the manifold set, tighten to torque spec, THEN tighten the connection between the two.
4) Remove the intake and exhaust as a unit (with the new gasket in place between them) and tighten the bolts and nuts that hold them together tighter if needed.
5) Take the whole assembly down to your local machine shop and they will resurface them as a unit. Once you have a shiny new straight surface, no more manifold leaks.
I did this yesterday on my test engine. They did it while I waited! The cost was $46.00. I should have done that when I did everything else! I didn't have any leaks before, but it's something that gets neglected.
