Cannondaleriders

I have just purchase an aluminum water pump impellar and it came with a new o-ring gasket.
My engine was rebuilt by ATK about six months ago and it appears that when they assembled it they installed the cover with the o-ring plus gasket sealer.
Is the gasket sealer necessary or was it just an added precausion on their part?
It will be next to impossible to get this cover back on without getting sealer all over everything if it is needed.

I wouldn't say that it is needed. Sounds like they might of reused the old gasket. I didn't use it when I installed mine, and it hasn't leaked. Just my 2 cents.

A little dab right at the valvecover/head junction is all that is neccesary.I like to put a bit on O-ring itself wiping any excess off once it is in the waterpump.

Got it installed and no leaks, but I just realized that in my rush I did not lock tight any of the four bolts that hold the cover on...

Anyone have issues with these backing out?