you quoted me wrong, you CAN block the intake....the statement was "be aware you cannot bock the vacuum source" and expect it to work"
sounds like you are not near the car, not doing the work and only reporting what is told without personal observations on your own. and the manner of most gaskets is that the manifold source is present by the very design of the gasket that does ensure no matter how you place the gasket the port on the carb base will be open to the manifold vacuum source...left, right, top, or bottom. Now if you or your pa made the gasket without regard for the port...I have no clue Look at your own pictures. The outline of the original gasket is clear on the intake with the 4 open slots so no matter what position you place it the gasket will port manifold vacuum to the small hole in the base of your pictured carb. Without that, you will not operate the power piston to enrichen the mix.