Any tricks or is it just like the older 3800 motors where it takes about 20 minutes?

Mine are seeping REALLY bad.

Plan a lot longer than 20 minutes.

If you need SC and lower intake gaskets, I can't suggest it enough times that you do the valve cover gaskets at the same time as the lowers. It'* much easier with everything out of the way.

Couldn't agree more! Many times easier doing it at the same time. You have to remove gobs of stuff to get at the back ones anyway. So, do it while things are torn down, you have more room and all that stuff is already out of the way.

My personal opinion.. the front is a walk in the park. 30 minutes is doable.

The back.. if you do it seperately..plan a couple hours..maybe three. If you do it while doing the intake manifold gaskets, add 20 minutes or less to the job.

Any thoughts on using the cork style gasket as a temporary meaure? the felpros are around 60 bucks and I can get the corks for 15 bucks. Anyone ever used a cork style before?

You can't use or get a cork style to my knowledge. There is a ridge in the valve cover that the gasket goes into, then it'* pressed onto the head to seal.

I went with the NAPA rubber ones. I think i also have a bad oil pan gasket too, I've never heard of a leaky valve cover gasket causing 3" diameter oil leaks overnight. I'm going to go napa on the gaskets and see how they old up.

In other news I pulled the airfilter and it looks like it has about 100,000 miles on it, perhaps that would explain the sluggish acceleration, New one going in after I get off work.

I see no reason why the FelPro, Napa or OEM gaskets are any better than the other. You seemed to mention being low on funds. I suggest going with the lowest cost of the three.

For around $125 you can get the SC, lower intake, valve cover, oil pan gaskets and coolant elbows from Intense.
With your miles the elbows would be a good move too.

99% sure you have to move the alternator bracket to get the rear cover off..

coolant runs through the alternator bracket/tensioner bracket...

messy.. do them when you do everything else