98 chevy blazer 4.3L problems after intake manifold gasket replacement?

[Daniel L]

Last week I replaced my plugs,wires,distributer, and cap. 2 days ago when I got home from work steam was pouring out from under the hood and coming from around the throttle body. a friend came over and pressure tested my radiator and we could see and hear bubbles comming from the intake manifold gasket. so after looking on this forum I found this "how to" and replaced just like the artical says http://d-tips.com/General/Articles/a...akearticle.art .Once complete I let dry for 30 hours, did a oil change and filled it up with new coolent. Went to start it and idled a lilltle ruf at first and wanted to stall when I put it in gear, so i let it idle longer and took it for a drive around the block. There was lots of white smoke comming from the exaust for the fist 10-min I drove it around and then the smoke stopped and ran great.. half way home from work today the oil pressure gauge dropped all the way down and has stayed there since. I pulled over and checked the oil and I was right on line and I felt the oil filter and it was hot. so I finished my drive home UNTILL I Started to hear ticking from the engine and it kept getting louder. I have towed it back home and in my garage it sits. Any idea whats wrong? For some reason I have it convinced In my head that I left a rag in the engine...yes I'm serious I dont know why I think this but its my feeling

[bandit_60]

you need to pull the intake again and make sure the intake and heads are clean before replacing the gasket. don,t use the old gasket, get a new 1. i usually get ( fel-pro ) gaskets. it sounds like the gasket did,nt seal or you did,nt get the surface clean enough.