Replacing Manifold/Stove-Pipe Gaskets

slantsixdan's articles are great on that manifold installation. In my experience the only studs to worry about are the end ones. I've never had a problem with snapping the inner ones. Naturally, if you have a bent one or bad threads, then, yeah, change it out. I've had the best luck with the Felpro sets and not using any sealer unless the surfaces have major corrosion and then I just use some Copper Coat by KW. With the suspended copper in the sealer, it helps conduct heat away.
One thing that wasn't mentioned much was resurfacing the manifold(s). Every one that I've seen that has been resurfaced has failed shortly afterward so I would recommend against it. If they're bad enough to need resurfacing, replace them with ones that haven't been and don't need it.
As for the new replacement manifolds on the market, the ones I've seen are terrible. I was going to stock them here at work but when I saw the actual part, I sent them all back. The port sizes were all different and on different planes. On one manifold, the #1 port was only 2/3 the size of the others! The angles were off too. After mounting the new manifold to an intake, the exhaust's head surface was at a different angle than the intake's head surface. If you bolted the manifolds to the head first, there was a 1/8" to 1/4" tapered gap between the manifolds! Hopefully, someone has come out with a better casting recently or you may be in for an ordeal. Once again, the proper hardware and torque specs are the key to a long lasting installation unless your burning our California oxygenated fuel and then it's just a matter of time before it cracks again!