> Install valve cover gasket dry, both mating surfaces here are machined flat.
Install manifold gasket dry, should have no problems here unless you have a header. Sealing up a header is a topic all on its own.
The oil pan is the place where most beginners have problems, due to the following problems. 1: The pan itself is warped, usually areas under bolts. 2: The gasket is usually a cork material that will not tolerate overtorquing. 3: The pan joint covers joints between timing case, and rear main bearing cap.
To overcome these problems; 1: Tap the surface of the pan flat, use a straight edge to find high and low spots. 2: With the pan clean, bond the gasket to the pan with contact cement. This will help prevent extrusion of the gasket. 3: Apply a small dab of oil compatible silicone to the joints on the block (timing case, rear brg cap) Leave the rest of the block clean and dry. If your silicone smells like vinegar, its not oil compatible, and on a newer car it may kill your o2 sensor. 4: Evenly tighten pan until you see the gasket just start to compress out of the joint
. Do not overtighten!