HHhmmm. Im sure you have checked this but possibly a funky Map sensor? TPS? Any voltage problems? like is your alternator is shot to were your running off battery power? Im just as stumped as you so excuse me if any of these sound stupid.

As far as your head deal, make sure to plug up that hoist bolt hole, and as far as the side goes maybe you have a crack or a portion of the head or block that is damaged to were the head gasket wont seal it. Those are a couple problems i have seen. ( the hoist bolt hole is stripped on mine so thats i found out about that one lol )

I donno dude, good luck though