Well we can agree to disagree. However, I do agree wish there was a nice neoprene end gasket and a way to trap it, because you'd need to find a way to keep it located with little bungs and drilled holes, or long legs over the edges to keep it from moving, not sure you could with the gaps we see on FEs.
Far different than a short and thin SBF or SBCs. The thick neoprene doesn't like when its not trapped. Think SBC pan gasket, they make rails to fit it in, just gluing one in place without rails would be a nightmare.
I learned my technique on school buses and F-series dump trucks in the 80s, heavy manifolds that you didn't want to do twice, especially laying deep over a truck radiator support, and equally didn't want to tie up the bay because it would eat into flat rate waiting for silicone to dry or be a free job if it leaked
I glue the bottom down with 3M, contact cement style on both pieces, and now I have adjusted to using a little Right Stuff as lubricant when I drop the manifold. It slides and lets the cork stay in place.
I have been touting this for a long time, heck been on the FE forum since 1995 and haven't changed my tune except for one difference.
The only difference from back then, RTV used to be slippery snot when oil was near and that is why I didn't like running a bead down a flat joint. The new silicone adhesives like Ford Grey, Right Stuff and other brands seems to stay put, but even they haven't been out THAT long. However, like I said, they need a little thought too, push some into a return and you'll be whining.
I actually considered trying no end gasket on my 445, I figured I would cut a ridge across the china wall and match it on the intake, creating a groove to hold the silicone. Then I looked at the gap and said why bother and used an end gasket
To each their own though, I truly want you to do whatever you want to do to your own motor, but mine and those that I do for others will use end seals, neoprene if designed for them, cork if not, unless there is no room for them, and generally, if there is no room, I will fix the manifold