i used thread sealant like this. any brand with ptfe will work just fine.
the pan gasket, you'll want to do a nice smear on the block, and the pan, as well as if the rear cover comes off rtv the bottom 2 inches on both sides of the gasket.
if you do do the rear cover take the pan off, then do the rear cover, use a straight edge across the block to make sure the cover is even with the block bottom. the bolts that hold the cover on have a small plastic spacer, try not to break them or loose them. you'll need to reuse as many as you have left. one or more will break. wont be your fault. then install the pan while the rtv is still fresh on the rear cover.
and the worst part of the rear cover is you cant do it on the stand really, needs to be up side down on the floor, i flipped mine over on a old tire.
