i have one of those lowered sumps with an external oil filter, do I need to fit the oil strainer when refiting the alloy cover plate, I am trying to eliminate a slight oil leak coming from the cover plate / sump connection and I don't have new gaskets that go either side of the oil strainer, and I can't see any reason to have the strainer with an external oil filter, so was going to leave it off and seal the alloy cover plate to the sump with non hardening sealant (Permatex brand). what do you think?

OK if you must, but the strainer will help if any large foreign materials arrive. I've seen it stop vlave lash caps that have parted company with the valve for whatever reason, broken rocker wavey shims and even dropped in by accident nuts and the like, and you should definately remove the strainer plate every oil change to clean away any sludge or build up as this is where it ends up being the lowest part of the sump, otherwise it builds up, covers the whole lower sump and eventually the oil pump starts to pick it up.

Thanks for that Matt, what's your thoughts then on using the gasket sealant instead of using the thin cork gaskets?

IMO the std sump plate always requires a gasket (usually paper), you can seal if you want with sealant, but removal is more difficult next change. I'd only use no gasket and sealant with a machined flat thicker plate like some aftermarket ones.

To get out of trouble this time, you could maybe resurect one of the old gaskets, clean it in thinners or at least petrol and then use sealer, but have replacements ready for next time.

Machined and thick alloy aftermarket is what I have, thanks, back to the workshop.