I think my .02 is too late as you seem to be going another route but for future reference; Make sure you wrap the Teflon tape counter clockwise on the threads (Or in the case of a left handed thread, clockwise). If you go the other way, as you screw the pieces together, the tape is pushed back and does nothing. I have used pipe dope but only for low pressure systems like gas lines, I'm not sure it works in high pressure systems but that's from lack of use.

Wayne