well, finally got heads and intake off.....the head gaskets were intact so it must be the "bending" issue....hopefully drop heads off to machine shop today. ordering another intake manifold ( i have a sneaky suspicion mine is either cracked or jacked in some way). It may just be the thermostat housing considering it still leaked after grinding it down to make level, indian gasket maker, 2 paper thermostat housing gaskets, and ultra grey......hopefully will have good stuff to say next weekend....get the beast back on the road!!!