I use Permatex Gasket Sealant on bolt threads which go into oil or water. It is a gummy purple butyl rubber which stays flexible. Cleans up easy with ethanol. On my 273, I used the cork end gaskets in the kit, with silicone goop in the corners. Coated one side with the gasket sealant. Best not to coat both sides or the gasket can squash out. I did read of tossing the cork gaskets and using just thick beads of RTV, but figured should use them "as designed", plus scraping off RTV later can be a chore. No leaks so far. Especially good on water pump bolts since those are often loosened and retightened later when adjust alternator and power steering belts, so you need a flexible sealant.
But I was bit by using the cork gasket to seal the differential cover when I rebuilt the A-604 transmission in our 2002 Chrysler, as it began leaking bad. Had to remove the cover and change to just an RTV bead there. I used a Permatex RTV made just for transmission pans (better resists the chemicals). Would be fairly easy with transmission out, but not trying to work around the engine cradle with little room. Similarly, I had read to just toss the cork gasket and use RTV, but tried to be a good boy and follow the design.