I think that what is making me confused (and concerned) is that the gasket between the intake and exhaust manifolds for the earlier years are not the same for the later years. The link you gave for Jim Carter's gaskets indicates that the gasket they are offering is for "1941-1949 Trucks with 235 CID engines" (amongst other engines).
The Master Parts Catalog I have only shows up to 1950 (for which it lists the intake manifold with the 3835590 casting # and the 3694163 part number...and doesn't list any intake manifold at all for 1949 with no listing for other years with 235 engines! (I believe we know that there is a problem with the book there since it seems they made 235s starting in 1941 per Google!)
I am worried that the intake manifold for the 235 would not mate up with the older straight down casting exhaust manifold. My Master Parts Catalog shows a different gasket for the 216 and 235 engines for 1950.
I have attached a photo of the gasket that I removed from the set of 1940 intake and exhaust manifolds that came with my project with the gasket that came with the set I purchased for a "1954 235".
I hope that someone who has an earlier 235 might read this and weigh in as to whether or not casting #3835590 would bolt up to an earlier manifold.
It's getting late...I hope that this makes sense!
Nick 1940 KC Model 1/2 Ton Pickup Project (with '37-'39 Bed and what we think is a '42-'46 Frame) Taos, New Mexico
