Metal intake gasket question

[salinasjoel]

I bought a set of metal felpro for my 273 at a swap meet and they look slightly different from the ones I pulled off. Specifically one of the "port" holes in the center of the gasket is not a hole it's just filled in. Also can someone tell me how if the contoured side would go towards or away from the heads?
Thanks ill get pics asap

 

[TrailBeast]

The metal gaskets have a flared edge around the ports, and the flare goes toward the heads.
It's there to hold the gaskets in place for assembly.
The blocked off center hole is the heat crossover port, and that gasket will make engine warmup time longer because the non blocked ones let exhaust gasses cross over through the intake.
This is good for cars in hotter weather, and if you are, or will be running and Eddie carb you will be glad it's blocked.
Eddie carbs have more heatsoak issue's and a blocked off crossover help a lot.

 

[salinasjoel]

carter avs so thats good to know. Thank you