Iv always painted my pan with clear. (Like the clean look) I paint the whole thing. No gaskets with alum intake (or even with steel) light film of rtv. Around ports. Never a leak

1970 barracuda convert. 1 of 59
1970 pro street A.A.R. clone (panther pink)
1971 charger
2015 hellcat challenger. Redline red
2014 quad cab 4x4 ram 8 speed hemi