[skydog61]

I have a 78 cj5 that I swapped a 304 into. I added an edelbrock cam and lifter kit as well as edelbrock performer(non egr) intake to it. I have two questions. First, is it necessary to use the valley pan style intake gasket? Right now I have a "normal" set of fel-pros on it, but i have read the valley pan is the only one that works. the next question is regarding the heat shield on the bottom of the intake. How much of a problem is it if it isn't installed? Mine got thrown away some time ago by accident so right now I don't have one. I have read it is really important to have it to keep the pcv valve from sucking the oil out of the lifter valley. But I also know it is used to keep hot oil from splashing on the intake and heating up the air charge. Thanks, and I am looking forward to hearing your answers and ideas.