[supergonzo]

You can find Intake gaskets no problem.. fel pro makes them.I find the exact number Charlie if you want.
As far as ass backwards from chevy?? Yes the distributor turns the other way, and you can take it out of the car without pulling the intake manifold and draining all of your antifreeze out of the radiator. Pontiacs are much easier than most engines to work on, and any competent engine builder should be able to work on any brands.

As far as what makes them go or special tricks?? Most engines regardless of brand respond to mostly the same things...which is the right combination of parts. And careful building techniques, I am not sure what you guys think makes an engine tick. They all are just blocks, heads, intakes & exhaust and camshaft. Air pumps if you will, the more efficient you can make any brand the better.

Putting that discussion aside, everybody has a few tricks up their sleeve(that probably work on all brands), but that comes later, if you have a good engine builder your 455SD will make you very happy.