you shouldnt need any sealants for the cometics...unless when u put water in it it leaks water at the bottom of the head, then you just use some alumaseal and it will seal them, we had that problem on our first motor...as far as the lifters go...install the dogbones to keep the alignment of the lifters, then lay the spider tray down and the curved part of the spider acts like spring tension pushing down on the dogbone when you tighten the pider down you will see it work...it just lays on top of the dogbones and gets bolted down...thats it..