The install overall went fine. The 5/16" MD spacer and iso-thermal gasket fit fine with no problems, and no check engine lights. However prior to installing the iso-themal gasket, I've noted that 5 of the 6 manifold ports are dirty and oily on the surface walls, and only 1 port looks pretty clean. Is this normal, or is this something I should be concerned about?

 

Wow, that is the dirtiest engine bay I have ever seen. Did your coolant tubes explode or something?

 

I don't think that's normal, when I installed my MREV2, all 6 ports were oily/dirty.

 

Mine were clean.

 

I can't say its a good thing, but its certaintly not uncommon.
Some engines do that and some don't.