Never changed intake on a 440. Been reading and looks like most use a set of regular intake gaskets UNDER the valley between pan and head for oil leakage and then NO gasket between intake and valley pan. Is this the perfered method? Some say a little RTV around the ports between the valley pan and intake manifold. What do you think? Is the permatex blue OK? What should I torque the bolts too? Thanks in advance.

Not difficult at all..Just make sure you put paper towel in the ports on the heads when you take it off, clean the head surface with a wirebrush...get all the crud off...hit it with some brake cleaner...blow the paper towels with compressed air to get rid of the debris and pull out the paper towels.....

The next part is up for debate. I just lay the valley pan down on the bare head and put the intake gasket on the valley pan, then the manifold. Work in a cross hatch pattern when installing the bolts to make sure your holes are aligned then torque them down to the spec.

I don't use any sealant on it because the head gets really hot, it will burn out eventually and you will have a leak point...Other will chime in to and tell me I am wrong...

I always install just the tins.I run alumimum heads and intake and no problems.Ive run tins for over 40 years and never had a leak.RTV only at the 4 corners where the tin meets the head.I also use a thin bead under the tin where the hold downs are.Rocky