well, I got it back together and torqued. It's running and sounds smoother than ever...

PROBLEM!

coolant is leaking into the timing chain chamber (presumably from one of the coolant passages) I cleaned the living hell out of the block and timing chain cover surfaces and used brand new timing chain cover gaskets from the dealership. I don't understand where this leak is coming from? anyone have similar experience with this issue? I'm pressure testing the coolant system here in a minute to see if there is in fact a leak. or if, perhaps, the coolant in the oil is residual from pulling the TC cover off. (last time I pulled the oil pan out, there was 6-10 oz. of oil remaining in the bottom of the oil pan, even with the plug pulled.) so It's possible that the coolant dumped down when I removed the TC cover.

holy hell...