Wow, just this weekend I did the typical intake manifold gasket on my 98 5.7 Vortec in my Suburban. What an unbelievable PITA! I consider myself a fairly skilled mechanic after 20+ years of screwing around with vehicles, but that job was a real backbreaker. Wires wires and more wires.

Haven't started it yet -- I had to order up a new EGR pipe, as I mangled the fitting trying to get it out of the manifold. It just wouldn't come out, and I was hesitant to use heat, as the top of the manifold is plastic. Ha, maybe i'm not that skilled after all.

Anyway, I guess all I can add is if you have the motor out, I'd do an intake gasket -- they are notorious for going bad.

Good luck
Pete