UPDATE:
Had carb off, and can actually see down intake ports to near valve.Ran a small stainless rod down in the port to "feel" the edge where intake meets head...not much of a "step", seems like a pretty smooth transition.No obvious gasket "line" visible either.
BUT this intake was clean and bone dry when installed a week or so ago, and it had a wet look to it in the runners.Wiped it with a clean paper shop towel, and it is fresh motor oil.Now it could have been a little pull thru from the PCV,
but the motor only has maybe 30 minutes run time since I fired it in THIS car.
My gut tells me the intake ports are not sealed on the underside.May still run a compression test and try a vac gauge.
Thoughts?