Just got a top end gasket kit as I am re doing my heads. The front and rear seals that came with the kit are cork. So here is my question I have heard it different ways. I have heard install them and I have heard toss them a side and just lay a 1/4 bead of rtv sealant. I have the high temp rtv. Which way will be more reliable for the long run as I do not wish to have to tear apart the top end because one of the two gaskets broke down seeing as they are cork any help would be appreciated. Oh and it is a 1966 289.

 

Toss them and use Permatex right stuff RTV for the ends, lay a 1/4 inch bead across the block . I use the regular black rtv on my finger tip to spread a thin film around the coolant ports on the head and intake to aid in sealing ( do not use right stuff here it is too thick and doesn't compress as well). The cork and even those rubber end gaskets will fail. I have used the "right stuff" method many times w/o any issues. torque the intake using the correct pattern and then go over them once more.