[thstone]

Modern RTV is much more stable, durable, and flexible than the old rubber/cork gaskets. Thus it works over a much wider range of conditions and is generally impervious to engine fluids. A rubber/cork gasket will work but it won't work under all of the extreme conditions that RTV will. Of course, both types can seep or even leak but usually for different reasons.

Please note that the recommended bolt torque may change when going from RTV to a different type gasket because a rubber/cork gasket needs to be compressed a certain amount (and not more than that certain amount) for it to seal properly whereas this is not the case with RTV.