Hot starting issues
so I don’t believe my extra air is from there.
Don't forget there is a bottom-side to the intake.
A valley leak is easy to find. Just put a vacuum/fuel-pressure gauge on the dipstick-tube, seal the Valve covers; then start her up. In this condition there should NEVER be a vacuum in the CC. And the blowby gasses should immediately begin building pressure.
DO NOT LET THE PRESSURE EXCEED ~3 to 4 PSI MAX. That pressure is well able to blow your seals out. Don't panic, you should normally have a minute or two.
No recommendations on the fuel-pressure gauge, on account of you should NOT bring a mechanical gauge into the cabin. Anything you install must be 100% sealed and 100% guaranteed to not ever break or leak. Electric gauges are OK but IDK how dependable the senders are.
Some guys just install a test-port near the carb,like the early EFI cars sometimes had and then just check it now and then. Really, that's all you need.