Yeah it seems to seal up well. Car runs great. Had a couple runs this summer at it 95.75 in the 1/8 and 118.6 in the 1/4 full steel 72 Duster with 727/Hughes 3500/4.10/28. 408 800cfm DP, Strip Dom, Trickflow, Howard 254/260 600/615 Solid 11.2Cr. I would like some more carb but it was a 650 proform I had and had upgraded the main body to bring it to 800.
If "whatever" spacer will work and seal without that plate I linked to, that's what I'd do and not look back. I just don't think hackin on the intake will really get you much and it may end up costing.