I spent a Saturday a couple weeks back replacing the intake manifold gaskets
on my 97 Ram 4x4.  It was running rough at idle and had a miss (lean) when
running at about 1500-2000 rpm especially under load.  I bought the Felpro
full gasket set, removed the manifold, removed the plenum plate (inside had
oil puddle and oil residue so I figure that was the leak), cleaned up the
surfaces on the manifold and plate, used black high-temp RTV on both sides
of the fiber plenum gasket and re-torqued the bolts to spec.  I then
reinstalled the manifold with new manifold-head gaskets (cleaned the
surfaces of course) and torqued to spec.  reassembled and started it up and
it ran like a new truck,  you could barely tell that the engine was running
at idle and the missing was gone under load.  I was one very happy camper.
Two weeks into driving it, the miss came back. (So did my sailor-like
language) It is nearly identical to what it was before my
fingernail-blackening escapade of two weeks ago.  I got in and re-torqued
the manifold as best I could ( some bolts are covered The AC/Alternator
mount, etc) and there was no change(dammit).  So, my question is, is it
common for the plenum gasket to begin leaking again in such a short time?  I
have worked on cars all my life and have not had this happen before.  I was
very careful about torque order and tightening everything.  Is there some
secret (this would have been a good question to ask BEFORE the first
replacement :-)) to getting the plenum plate to seal? the truck never pings,
even on 87 octane and oil consumption is not outrageous ( it has 112k) so it
does not exactly fit the plenum problem that many have talked about (the
TSB).  just FYI, it has new plugs, wires, rotor, cap, PVC, O2 sensors,
catalytic converter, cat back exhaust system and no Codes or MIL lit.  after
putting all that $hit on, I'd kinda like it to run smooth!  FWIW the truck
has plenty of power and blows no smoke or anything.  I am thinking about
doing the Combustion Chamber cleaner to see if that has any affect.  Other
Ideas or am I destined to spend another Saturday under the hood?

-Jerry