Slant 6 Valve cover gasket.?????

Was thinking more about this.. I haven't done a lot of these and mostly years ago. Back then I probably did more as you said - cork/high tack. Not a dozen times, but I did re-use them. Today's cork gaskets may hold up better also. I do prefer the rubber, but they may be less forgiving if the cover is not flat. I will agree if rubber does not seal by itself, my experience is that RTV sometimes seams to make it worse

the biggest problem with the cork gaskets is over tightening them, i ditched the bolts for studs with nylocks. With this i can snug them without them backing out, no leaks.

As for the rubber i tried and tried, ended up throwing the couple i had away, never again