the front cover i gasket i pulled off my girlfriend's 3.8 was a rubber and gasket combo type seal, and the replacement is a thin metal. is this the correct front cover gasket, or do i need to find one like the factory?

 

What year? I have not replaced the front cover gasket on one but all the other gaskets that I have bought from the auto parts stores look exactly like the ones I was replacing. I have replaced the water pump gasket and it was like you discribed but it is suppose to have sealant put on both sides before installing water pump. Maybe the cover gasket is the same way. The parts store that you bought it from should be able to tell you if it is. Maybe someone who has replaced the gasket that you are speaking of will chime in on what they have done. Good luck.

 

this is darlingrejects car???

 

Yes, it's for my car.