gaksets/cracks oh my..in my 312

[1930artdeco]

OK, I sent my 57 wagon to the shop to get running and they did!!!!!!!! It is now timed, tuned and dwelled and idles. However, he did find some glaring issues with the intake and carb. Apparently there are some major leaks in the intake gaskets and carb gaskets. So I have some questions:

1) He said to check for cracks in the intake. Is there a good way for a DIY mechanic to do that or should I have it fluxed? He also told me to run a hose through the crossover to make sure there are no cracks inside the manifold.

2) He also stated that the gaskets were either wrong, wrong orientation or something as it was apparently sucking a lot of smoke from his machine. I put them on correctly as far as I can tell. They are fel pro gaskets, is there a better gasket for this spot?

3) Apparently there is a leak at the carb base as well. I am not running a spacer so I put just one gasket there. Is there supposed to be more?

4) Sort of related, but I need the carb throttle and kickdown springs, where can I get them? Is there a specific spring rate?

Thanks,

Mike