Carb spacer

Aren't you in Ontario?
I'm in southern Manitoba; No problems here;
I'm running a 750DP on an Airgap, and just a thin paper gasket, a minimum coolant temp of 205*F, un-wrapped TTIs, but yes, I run fresh air from on top of the hood straight down. I also run a 1-piece, free-standing, 3/8 line, from the mechanical pump to carb; the filter being at the back.
Oh and
BTW; yes, running 87E10, since 1999
I did run a TQ for a while on an Excelerator, and at one time an AVS on a cast-iron; also with no problems. But we don't get a lot of says over 35*C here, and never more than maybe 4 or 5 in a row. However, this car was my DD from 99 to 2005ish