manifold/head?

74 Dart - 225 - 50K original miles - sweet find - a few dents - paint/vinyl top and interior perfect!!

Blown manifold gasket

Broke #1 stud - broke stud off with vice grips - broke easy out off in block - removed head to take to machine shop. Took my time - lots of soaking/heat/freeze out - must be welded to the head

My question - would it be easier/possible to assemble the manifolds to the head and then put the head on? The are SUCH a pain. Would make life so much easier. Too heavy?

Thought about just pulling the motor and detailing it's just a few more bolts - will the engine go in with the manifolds on?

I have read that putting a bead of RTV on the downhill side of the gasket will prevent leaks. I assume this is on top of the gasket where it ouched the head, not the down side where it touches the block??

Thanks in advance for patience advice - old Chevy person - the Mopar world is a little new to me