I know lots of folks who just use rtv over a standard gasket for things such as oil pan gasket, transmission and transfer case gaskets. What are your thoughts, pros and cons.

 

RTV, by itself is good for some seals but not all. If you want to put a very thin film on your regular seal, that might be a plus but not always by it self.

 

Either or will work. Like Mike said, some things are better left with a gasket though. For instance, transmission pans. You don't want little chunks of RTV making their way into a valve body.

 

I use both for most things. Worked like a charm for my tranny pan gasket.

 

I would use a standard transmission pan gasket and put permatex non hardening on it - just a little - to assure a fantastic seal.
Or Aviation gasket maker.

RTV - nah.
RTV ***** up and you can take it off a surface with your finger nail easy.