140 Looper REED BOX gasket failure

[1990 looper]

Hi, I finally found the carb spitting and sputtering problem with my ol'looper and still have some questions. The gaskets that sandwich between the reed cage and intake plate failed. It looks like they were weak from fuel. Plus OMC only used two screws to fasten the box. One screw on each end. It happened in 3 of 4 cylinders and the fourth was on it's way. Two were sagging into intake plenum and the other two completely lost over couple inches of gaskets. Motor obviously sucked them in and munched them up. So, I believe that left the bottom edge of the gasket vulnerable to fail. I don't think any gasket adhesives were used in installation of the factory gaskets. Big question is: I honed the mating surface of reed cage on granite surface plate to make perfectly flat and smooth. The intake manifold has milled pocket for this surface. Should I use gasket and sandwich with quality gasket adhesive (The Right Stuff) or go commando

and use adhesive only?

 

[Faztbullet]

They go together dry and use blue Loctite on screws...

 

[1990 looper]

They go together dry and use blue Loctite on screws...

If the gasket did not pull into the motor intake like 3 out of four I might not use gasket adhesive. Since all four either failed or showed signs of failing. I will use a thin layer at least on the reed box side. A good fuel proof sealant.