when i first put my motor in there was a few drops of oil that would come out of the front of the oil pan in the middle. It got worse and I now believe it to be the timing cover gasket. My engine guy didnt use RTV on the paper timing cover gasket, is it completely necessary? whats the best way to keep all these new parts dry?! I'm using a one piece felpro oil pan gasket if it helps.
thanks a lot

No, you shouldn't put RTV on the paper gasket; the paper gasket is ENTIRELY unnecessary. Use RTV only.

Got a bolt in this hole?

there is a bolt in there, im assuming it needs rtv as well so i will pull it out and check it. there does seem to be a BIT of water in the oil, at least on the back of the timing cover

thanks again

Yeah it'd be good to have a drop of RTV on the threads.... that hole, as is easy to see in that pic, goes right into the passage for the fuel pump rod. It's an EXTREMELY common new-motor mystery oil leak. BTDT... back before Al Gore invented the Internet, in fact I think he was probably still in college at the time, I found out about it the hard way, myself. Sure is easier to read stuff and see pictures nowadays, so things are easier to find out about!!

that hole does not go thru on all blocks. i have a late odel block and havent had anything in that hole since i put it in there. no the old motor would leak out that hole

Right: at some point, they quit drilling that fuel pump rod passage in ALL blocks, only SOME got it, since that's only used in a carb setup; so if your block doesn't have that drilled, then the bolt hole will be blind.

But yeah, all blocks up from 55 till at least some time near about 90, have it drilled.