Hot starting issues

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Don't forget there is a bottom-side to the intake.
A valley leak is easy to find. Just put a vacuum/fuel-pressure gauge on the dipstick-tube, seal the Valve covers; then start her up. In this condition there should NEVER be a vacuum in the CC. And the blowby gasses should immediately begin building pressure.
DO NOT LET THE PRESSURE EXCEED ~3 to 4 PSI MAX. That pressure is well able to blow your seals out. Don't panic, you should normally have a minute or two.
No recommendations on the fuel-pressure gauge, on account of you should NOT bring a mechanical gauge into the cabin. Anything you install must be 100% sealed and 100% guaranteed to not ever break or leak. Electric gauges are OK but IDK how dependable the senders are.
Some guys just install a test-port near the carb,like the early EFI cars sometimes had and then just check it now and then. Really, that's all you need.
As far as the fuel pressure gauge that’s what I was meaning.
So didn’t have much time to try and really wrench due to work crazy mess, but I was able to get the carb off at least and as soon as I drained it I flipped it over and you were 100% right on the transfer slots.
Hopefully tomorrow I get more time to check things and go down the list you gave me. Again thank you so much for all the help.