I have had my 216 oil pan and front cover off of the motor in my 1946 chev. fire truck.
When I dropped the pan I replace the pan gasket with the replacment gasket from the auto parts store. If I remember right I did use silicone where the side gasket meets the front gasket. I also installed a new reddi sleeve on the front crank shaft for a new smooth surface and then replaced the front seal around the crank shaft.
I had good sucess and all is dry.

Wish you well & hope this helps.