Valve cover time

[95.5 Rodeo]

My Rodeo is leaking oil from the valve covers very badly. Mileage 130,000; probably never been done before. The spark plug wires are oiled up and are to be replaced. I'm about ready to do the job and I'd like to hear from someone who has "been there - done that".
Should I go with the factory replacement valve cover gaskets or would a Fel-Pro or Beck / Arnley gasket last longer? Will the valve cover gasket stay in place while installing the cover or is it OK to goop it into place? I wouldn't want it to move during installation and discover a worse leak later on. Do the spark plug seals (O-Rings?) install at the bottom or the top of the tube? If at the top, what seals the bottom? Any helpful tricks or shortcuts you found while doing the job? I'm looking forward to the time when I can park my Rodeo in the garage without changing it's oily diaper every month.

TIA,
Dale

[Cat Fuzz]

Fel-pro or Victor gaskets are good. I don't think Beck-Arnley actually makes anything. I'm pretty sure they buy factory parts and package them. When I worked for an auto parts warehouse, they bought our entire line of import ignition parts and repackaged them into their boxes.

The o-rings go on top of the tubes. The tubes are part of the head. Unless otherwise stated on the package, some sort of sticky stuff could be used to hold the gasket in place during install. I usually use some Permatex form-a-gasket in that little jar with the brush in the lid.

[sboliek]

I found it to a bigger job than I though,t I had to pull the (intake)manifold off. other than that it would cost around $ 400 at a local shop. that why I did it myself

[95.5 Rodeo]

Thanks for the replies. I went ahead and bought Fel-Pro gaskets and Fel-Pro spark plug seals for it. They were labeled "Perma-Dry". I hope that's what I get (Permanently dry!). BTW, they were marked made in Japan, interesting. I bought the spark plug wire set for $55.37, I got a nice discount on them at the dealer. I also bought NGK Iridium spark plugs (BKR6EIX-11; $6.50ea.) at Clubplug.net, I'm a sucker for trying something new. I guess all that is left to do now is install all of this stuff. It will be so nice to keep the oil inside of the engine where it belongs instead of all over the garage, driveway and wherever I park.

Dale