[vectorit]

When I pull intake manifolds off, I put air into the heater hose towards the intake manifold connection.

Disconnect the heater core hoses from the heater core, and point the lower one from the water pump down to a bucket.

Take a air hose and put air into the upper heater core hose.

That will push all the standing coolant out to the lower heater hose connection on the water pump.

This has always worked well for me, and as long as you have a bucket to catch the coolant. Your work area will be a whole lot more clean, and dry. Plus the inside of your engine won't get a big gulp of coolant, as soon as you break the seal while pulling the manifold off.