progress update --
Since I am now doing this alone (no help o.0, gonna be reading this manual a ton) I have replaced the valve cover and intake manifold gaskets. Going to replace the timechain gasket and oilpan gasket and throw this baby in. hopefully since I am using the old manifolds everything will mount up correctly (exhaust) and plug and play after that to run. fingers crossed
it's a good idea to replace the front and rear crank seals as well, they're cheap and it's easy with the motor out.