Reread the post about putting sealant everywhere. Once applied tighten bolts slowly round and round until holding torque, then wait the full cure time.

Crush washers?

For the spark plug tube seal consider where the nick is and if the location can lead to leakage.

 

I ended up putting on sealant to hold the gasket to the cover but put the cover back on without any sealant except the RTV dabs where recommended.

The "crush washers" as I read they were called are the series of thin washers on the valve cover bolts. I read these were supposed to only be used once. I guess I could have just padded the bolts with washers but i went with new ones.

All is good. Been a few hunderd miles and the engine is dry as a bone. Thank Fark I didn't have to go all the way down to the head gaskets...

 

Great job! Thanks for posting back with the results.

 

Treat her like a lady!! Take her out once in awhile, talk all sweet to her, then take her out on a long windy road and drive her like you stole from her husband. This car will last most people a very very long time with spending a lot on a lot of repairs.


Good Luck,
Ed