Exhaust manifold gaskets

I agree with you. They might not have used gaskets at the factory, but there they had clean flat surfaces.
I've got 2 exhaust manifold gasket kits coming from Amazon that don't have those connections between the exhaust ports. They come in 1 piece, perforated between the exhaust gaskets. They're made with perforated metal. I've used them before and they did a good job at sealing.