[Hozer 88GTConv]

Well, it's back together and no leaks. In fact, I don't want to jinx myself but it's running very nicely. No puffs of smoke or anything.
The real test will be tomorrow after a 80 mile round trip commute, then I'll pull the plugs, read them and see what's up.
For the record, I used liberal amounts of Permatex Hylomar on the gasket to head side and gobbed a serious amount of rtv under the intake ports and folded the head gasket reference tabs down to ensure no interference.
I torqued the intake in two steps, 15 lbs, then 24 lbs in the recommended criss-cross pattern as per the Mustang Handbook.
I will freak out if this turns out to be the problem all this time.

If number 5 doesn't foul, then I'm home free and supercharger bound.
Thanks again...