Crazy low vacuum

[proxses]

I'm trying to find a vacuum leak that is driving me insane!
I only get 3-5 inches of vacuum. But it idles smooth. I thought the gauge was woring, but I also don't have power brakes. They don;t have enough vacuum to work.
I have sprayed starter fluid on everything. I checked each vacuum line. I pulled the brake booster line and plugged it. I pulled the pcv line and plugged it. Now I get 6-8 inches, and the idle surges really bad. I checked the throttle body and upper to lower gaskets. No change!
It's looking like I have a bad manifold to head gasket. Agreed?
Timing is right.
What else could it be?
I don't know what else to check!
Help!

 

[HISSIN50]

i would unplug the PCV ASAP.
really check the vac line in the front of the plenum - between it and the lower.

good luck.

 

[proxses]

Well, with no other options I could think of, I pulled the manifold, and am replacing the gaskets. I hope this works.
I'm also returning the PCV to how it was.