Update!
Tore everything down last weekend. Got the intake and valve covers off, was pretty painless for the most part, worst part was getting to the last couple rearmost valve cover bolts on the passenger side. I also had a problem with the thermostat housing bolts being seized up. Broke the first one off, second didn’t want to come out but I was able to coax it with some heat. Ended up drilling and re tapping the broken one, got very luck there.
Started reassembly yesterday after work. Spent about 4 hours and got pretty far along, should be able to finish up in a couple hours this evening. Hopefully no leaks once it’s all said and done.
One thing I noticed on the cal van inset tool was that the insert did not thread in as easily as I was expecting. I’m assuming this is normal to create a snug/interference fit so the insert does not back out when removing the spark plug. I have to admit- I was worried about cranking it in and having it cross thread or bind up and get stuck. Ended up going for it and it threaded all the way in and bottomed out before I torqued it down.