Mike , First let's make sure you are using the newer style one piece rubber pan gasket. In the beginning we were advising with the pan left on and it being an old style cork gasket with half moon ends you would trim the cork gaskets for the timing cover only and glue in the half moon. Once you took it apart and mentioned the eyelet rings we determined you had a newer style one piece rubber gasket. Yes 3m the half moons in place and tach the rail part of the gaskets in place. Hope this make sense.Interesting idea on the stud kit Michael. The FelPro gasket I bought has some plastic studs included. I can think of a few places, like under the motor mounts, where studs might be a better solution that the bolts.
David, I am not sure if I am reading you correctly. I was under the impression that it was best to tack the half moon sections of the new gasket to the pan first...are you suggesting that a few dabs of 3M on the block surface will help prevent the gasket moving when the pan is first brought together with the block? Or are you saying to tack the gasket to the block and the half moons to their upper mating surfaces and then bring the pan up?
By 90 degree corners. I mean at the transition to the half moon bends.That one piece gasket is a really good one. Just be sure to put the timing cover on first. Those plastic inserts for the pan make it so you do not need the RTV or weatherstrip adhesive to hold the gasket in place (save them in your tool box for another job they work well). The inserts will hold the gasket in place while you set the pan. I would still RTV or weatherstrip the 90 degree corners. Done!
Great job. You will be glad you did it right the first time.