Intake plate

[big bad orange]

So my truck was running pretty poorly for the past month, stalling out on the road, having no power, poor mpg , and acceleration. So my buddy and I were just going to put hei on it (350) and call it done. Well when we opened the valve cover to just take a look ate the old girl, she was utterly sludge up. so we had to take the block down and get it sent off for work. I got by with just needing a hone, rering, all new barrings, plugs ect. but this thing must have never have had the oil change the where CHUNKS of dries up oil everywhere. Now my question is the shop hot tanked the intake but did not take off the riveted plate . We had to take it off to get more harden sludge out, do I need to use the plate? If I do I will have to buy a new one do to 3 out of the 4 ends( places where u put the rivet) broke. Can I run with out that plate or do I have to get a new intake?