leon2982,
If you have the engine in that position, by all means take advantage of it.
I wouldn't hesitate to pull the timing cover and replace the gasket and seal
Hammer the flange on the pan and timing cover true and flat, paying special attention to any dimpled bolt holes.
I use hi-tack aerosol, but any good sealer will do. The cork gasket over the front and rear main caps needs to be sealed well, both to the cap, and later to the pan.
More goop isn't better, be conservative, as the main sealing method is still a mechanical fit between the gasket and the sealing surface.
Make sure your drain plug isn't funked up or stripped out...now would be the time to repair it.
When you bolt the pan back on, don't use a 20" cheater bar. If you mash the cork pan gasket out around the bolts, you are TOO tight.
While you are at it, you could scratch around at your soft plugs and see if there is a surprise waiting for you.
The whole gist of this novella is that when the engine is out and on a stand, do whatever you can and check whatever you can...beats crawling around under it with oil dripping in your face!
Stuart
