New OEM Valve Cover gasket - advice needed

I just got what looks like an OEM replacement gasket for my XJ550 (PN 3KM-11193 in original Yamaha wrapper) and it seems to be covered with some kind of white dust, maybe something to keep it from drying out?

Just wondering if I need to clean that off, and what I should be using to set the gasket into the grooves of the valve cover. I'm really hoping that this new gasket and the heli-coil repairs done on the heads will finally solve my decades old weeping oil leak problem. So I want to be sure to do this with the best chance of no more leaks!

Any advice from the experts? Pics:

 

It's mold-release powder (makes it easier to remove the rubber part from the injection mold after it's cured). You can use as-is or wipe it off with mineral spirits, etc.

 

You can use Permatex Hi Tack gasket sealant to secure the gasket into the grooves in the cam cover.

 

Thanks Chacal and Franz. I have Permatec Red RT high temp gasket "maker", if used sparingly would that work?

 

Yes it would.

 

I recently replaced the valve cover gasket on an XJ550 and had a leak at the 1/2 moons. You could place a small amount of sealant at those 1/2 moons.

 

Yeah,. I've seen somewhere on the forum that placing a bit of sealant under the corners of the half moons is a good idea to fix that issue; so I will do that.

 

Not quite related but was wondering if I could used rtv in place of the paper gasket on the non yics motor valve cover. I'm about to check valve clearance and don't want to put the new gasket in just to have to take it off in a couple weeks when shims arrive

 

no reason the new gasket will not be re-usable in a few weeks. And using RTV gives you a chance of using too much, having it squeezed out and the threads of it get into places it should not be and clogging oil passages.

 

I used rtv on my 900f to keep the gasket in the recess. Anytime l use it l press the cover into the engine and then remove it to remove any excess before l fit it. But l agree the new gasket will be reusable.

 

Regarding the half moons : are you using the hi tack gasket sealant on the valve cover and head?

I thought others were using the hi tack gasket sealant on the valve cover and a dab of Rtv on the head surface..

 

Just on the half moons