Spent the day removing the intake manifold on a 4.3L, 1998 S10. Tomorrow I hope to install the manifold.

I am only going to replace the lower intake manifold gasket. When I removed the manifold, I left the upper (plastic manifold attached). If I am wrong in this please let me know.

Inside the manifold the bottom of the fuel injectors and the chamber they are enclosed in look super dirty. I sprayed some brake cleaner on them, will follow up tomorrow with carb cleaner. Again, if I am off please let me know.

Finally, does anyone have any tips on how to clean the manifold where the gaskets meet the metal? I heard acetone is a good substance to use.

I am most concerned about using the right amount of RTV in the right spots, and also installing the manifold without messing up the RTV, I am doing this myself. Read a tip that papermate pens in the bolt holes is a good tool.....

Why the RTV is curing I hope to replace the water pump and hoses as a preventative measure. Lots of coolant crude in the manifold and even in the hoses. I wish I would of flushed the system before stating the job.