Leakind intake manifold

I have a quick question would a leaky intake manifold gasket cause a engine to surge and stumble when the go pedal is smashed. I had a bad oil leak and thought it was the mechanical guage i put in only to have a local mecahnic tell me that it is the gasket leaking across the back of the engine. I am going to pull the intake and replace the gasket so if anyone has idea of what else i should check while i am working on the motor. The engine is a 94 small block 350 in a extended cab pick up. Thanx in advance  

If its sucking air it will cause you some headaches but leaking oil no. Just give it a good look over[pushrods,debris in lifter valley]. Are you planning on using the end gaskets?  

Alot of people don't use the end gaskets opting instead to use a bead of sealer instead.  

Smoke, any reason why they would use the bead of a sealer instead of the end gasket?  

the end gaskets tend to get pushed out and cause leaks. Thats why I asked bo1500 cause most newbies dont know that.  

Gotcha.  

Use RTV sealant and make sure the manifold and block are clean, oil-free, and dry as the sealant does not bond to oil. Does it have a high idle also? The throttle body to manifold gasket is notorious for causing vacuum leaks. It would be obvious when looking at the gasket if it's bad. I would look at the ignition system closer for arcing in the distributor cap or a bad plug wire(s).  

Ok if i am nto mistaken i did use the end gasket and it wasnt leaking until i was bringing it back from the muffler shop. I got on it and since that it started leaking. The idle is good at start up then it surges up and down the tbi sensor is new and the distributor is a billet one. The wires are MSD 8.5mm. I am wondering if it could be the chip. My engine builder claimed the cam isnt much over stock but, i am wondering if that could be it. Thanks again.