First is to remove all oil from the v-cover and head sealing surface. Clean is important. Alcohol or acetone makes this fairly easy.
I like to glue the gaskets to the covers with high heat silicone and let them cure. The orange stuff is what I use since my engines are painted orange.
Though I know it is not always necessary I spread a very very thin skim of sealant over the head sealing side of gasket also right before setting them in place.
I never concerned myself with a torque spec. Its more of feeling the gasket compress just slightly and evenly.
Let cure, and slightly crush them down just a bit more.
You will be able to remove your covers and reinstall them when needed without replacing the gaskets many times. This does work better on the ridgid cast aluminum covers than stamped steel. I have good results with the thick cork gaskets on iron heads.
Great sealing method for covers that are removed to adjust lash on adjustable rockers when needed.
It takes a little care and more time initially but I've never had to redo them over oil leaks. Some headers are bad about burning gaskets up. That has been my
main reason for having to replace v-cover gaskets every so often.
