[FatBoy]

Thank you for all the comments. It looks like a full strip-down is in order, but at least I'll know that it's all been checked and if necessary, repaired or replaced.

With regard to the rocker cover joint face, I was wondering if the correct way to fix it was to machine the inlet manifold to cylinder head joint face to allow the the manifold to drop down slightly. If, for example the manifold top face was 0.050" higher than the cylinder head top face on both sides, would machining 0.025" off both port joint faces bring them back in line? The reason I ask is because I feel that the dam joint gaps are on the large side and require a rather large bead of sealant to fill the gap and closing them up would be helpful.

Paul