Intake gasket questions

[Chrispbrown36]

I have searched the forum and still can't seem to find a straight answer on this. I originally changed my intake manifold gasket with a Fel-Pro gasket that did not have the block off plates on it. Now I am looking to change it out again hoping to seal up some leaks and I am wondering if I should go with one that has the block off plates. Some say that the block off's only help with an aluminum intake but not a factory cast iron one. Some say that it's only necessary in colder climates. Some say it's not necessary at all. My thinking is that the original gaskets had the block off's and the engineers had a reason for it....so you should do the same, but I would like to see what you guys think. Along the same lines, everyone says to use the Fel-Pro gaskets, but isn't an AC Delco a better choice?
Truck is an 87 V10 TBI 350