just finished taking off exhaust manifold and changing gasket as well, wasnt to bad. i also changed my valve gasket. i found the hardest part was finding bolts for exhaust manifold, still in search. but overall im still glad i didnt go to the auto shop. there price was crazy

 

Update: found at least one broken bolt on the noisy(drivers side), I'll bet there are more. Upon cold start up I can see the passenger side blowing condensation out of the crack between the block and the mani. The bolts to the cats look pretty bad too. Yay.