Having a lot of trouble

[Dando]

So last week I was driving on the freeway and the jeep overheated, stuck thermostat. (1990 MJ with 4.0 aw4 231) I blew the head gasket in the process. I replaced the head gasket and put it all back together. Had what seemed like an intake manifold leak and I tried to redo that Saturday. Now it idles at the right rpm, but it just drives like $#!&. Won't come out of first gear, lack of power, sounds like there is an exhaust leak but I can't find it. What can cause all these issues? What did I do wrong? Truck was finally starting to run great before the head gasket. I am broken down currently at a job site for work, need to figure this out please please any help is appreciated

[Dando]

through this entire process I never replaced the intake manifold gasket, I reinstalled the one for over a year ago now, should I have replaced it? Do they always need replaced after manifold removal?

[cruiser54]

through this entire process I never replaced the intake manifold gasket, I reinstalled the one for over a year ago now, should I have replaced it? Do they always need replaced after manifold removal?

Yes.

[Dando]

Thank you, I have already ordered one and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Lesson learned