John if you have to go to the trouble of replacing the gasket spend a few bucks and get Stage-8 locking header bolts. They woln't back out. The problem maybe now that the header flange is warped and woln't seal properly. If you pull it a nice little straight-edge can answer that.

The e-brake may just be an adjustment under the center console or the rear pads are just about shot from someone power braking it.

The gas pedal issue I've seen several times before. Combination of lead foots and poor design lead to this failure all to often.

I still need to get by and see it the beast. Good luck.

Jeff