502 intake gasket question - urgent help please!
 

I am ready to reinstall my intake on my GEN VI 502 with Carb and noticed that the new Merc intake gaskets do not have a cutout for the exhaust crossover port.
Now, I have a carb and the choke is not electric, so how should I open the port in the gasket? Can it be as simple as using a razor knife to cut away the gasket covering the port, or does it need to have something metallic there because of high heat?
Thanks in advance -

just install the gasket as it is (no crossover passage) I would also wire the choke in the full open position or remove it completely as its really not needed. It will most likely run better without the extra heat.

Thanks so much for your reply - now from an operational standpoint, what would be the effect of one side being open and the other side blocked off?
Thanks -