Everyone has a personal preference for gaskets and sealers used. In my years of experience I've found the biggest mistake people make is using cheap / inexpensive made gaskets. Make sure to use a gasket made with top quality products and is fresh off the shelf and not something thats sat around for years and years. As far as any "goop" I've found all thats needed is a small dab where 2 gaskets meet such as an oil pan to the end gaskets. RTV type sealers seems to work the best and last the longest because they don't set up rock hard. As mentioned above, cleanliness is also very important.
Good Luck
Don
