Get the latest type (I think I heard there was a metal backed one out there now) and don't over torque. When mine would fail it was usually next to a bolt hole, sign of over tightening. I always was conscience of watching for leaks around 3000 miles on, after changing them with new every time I adjusted valves. And I would do the grease on them also. Just a guess but of the 14 new gaskets, I had 3 or maybe 4 fail before the next replace.
Worst was when I tried to tighten a leaker even more when I was about 500 miles from home and it was over 100 degrees F that day. Just made the leak way worse! I was stopping every 50 miles or so to make sure I didn't run low on oil (10W60 was un-obtanium on the road at that time). About 200 miles to go I bought some form-a-gasket at a gas station and glued it on.
Gotta do what ya gotta do, but it did stop the leak and I got home OK.
