Can’t say that I’ve ever torn into one of these things but what about the possibility of a lower intake gasket leak? I assume there are coolant crossover passages in those gaskets.
Some of the older Ford small blocks used an EGR spacer block on the throttle body which was liquid cooled. Sometimes the gasket would rot out and bleed coolant into the intake and then on into the engine. This would create white smoke with an initial impression of a head gasket fault.
Just some food for thought.
What about an exhaust gas test kit from AutoZone or wherever. That could weed out a head gasket fault. Could be a cheap way to peace of mind or utter despair in the worst case scenario.