Do the front plates that convert the water around have o rings in them or gaskets or hows that work do those rought out often? or is it common for logs and snails to go bad?

Since he was talking about the different logs, I assumed that was where the silicone was. I can't imagine anyone using silicone by itself for intake gaskets.   That would definitely be a problem.

I had bought a Rogers with a Olds 455 (water in oil) that has only silicone for the intake gaskets and then I read this and assumed...    But I'm pretty sure now that he meant on the logs which wouldn't be a problem. 

Do the front plates that convert the water around have o rings in them or gaskets or hows that work do those rought out often? or is it common for logs and snails to go bad?

With the water inlets and outlets that I've seen it's usually just gaskets. Most of these parts are getting pretty old and will sometimes require silicone. The only broken logs/snails I've ever seen are ones that I tried to take apart.  (will trade for 1 Coors Light).