in my firewall gasket kit the wiper gasket and pivot seal bag includes some butyl rope caulk. where do i use this? between the cowl and the top of the pivot seals would be my guess.....but that would be a guess. could also argue that the pivot seal should form a good barrier at the cowl and the caulk would not be needed?

You'd want to use it where the pivots bolt to the cowl - in conjunction with the foam gasket for extra insurance. Did you mod the pivot with a zerk too?

no zerks added. from the dust (created by the gaskets/seals) i would guess this is the first time these have been unbolted from the car.....no observed leaks previously.

It's an optional step that offers: Improved lubrication, longer life, and extra insurance against leaks. They're pot-metal castings so it doesn’t take much to drill. You can feel the bit break through into some space around the pivot shaft. Just be sure to use the proper size bit for the press fit zerk.