I did the passengers side upper timing cover gasket , (drivers side for you Americans)
wasn't too much of a pita, couldn't finish it off as I couldn't find the rtv sealant
the valve gaskets at the top were like hard plastic, really brittle , bottom was a bit hard but not as bad,
brand new water pumo had a squeak on the shaft, but when it was wet it went ,
only thing I have found it a slight lip of about 1mm between the cover and the block (cover being a tad higher) , and I cant get rid of it , new gasket should compensate .
plus here's the pulley with the nick in it