Made reference to this little detail the other day in a "What to paint on my 67 big block" thread so thought I should follow up. Thought this has been covered since we covered it multiple times in the past but it must have been elsewhere - making up for that now with this post
Since this detail spans across a number of year groups we have sections for on this site I've placed it here rather than make duplicate post in multiple sections
On big block FE engines originally equipped with chrome valve covers its been observed that originally they (Ford) normally painted the cork gaskets with silver paint then to speed installation they stapled each ear of the gasket to each ear on the valve cover. Staples go around the ear on the valve cover rather than through the metal. Staples are a bit heavier/thicker than a normal paper staple.
Prepainted gaskets
Arrow shows the "ear" I refer to above