got it put back together.. well, mostly my dad did, he drove it, it's much better from what he tells me. going to see what SES code is in it tomorrow and replace one boot that cracked that's on the valve cover.

what was done, replace intake gaskets, ..didn't run, tore back down to them (vacuum leak, found the hose), rebuild it, idled rough, compression checked 150 - 175 psi on each cylinder, new plugs, wires from a 99 pont GA 3.4.

hoping every thing's better, or at least back to only a seldom misfire in #4 (had the least comp)

I hope it is doing better...

it's better, may even run better than before ( wires/new plugs ) just replacing pcv valve/elbow and hoping an ordered hose/tube has a gromet on it for the rear valve cover.

so... drove it a little more than just to work/school. the random hesitation going up hills in 3rd, 4th is gone (low rpms).

145k+ miles and runs pretty much as brand new as a 9 year old car can.