If I were you I'd just do it right.
Pull the timing cover,and the pushrod cover slacken the valve adjusters pull the pushrods and lifters
pull the cam and the crank gear and replace the gasket the right way.
This will ensure you have a good clean gasket surface....

and no leaks..

Jeremy


1950 Chevy 3800 1-Ton Long Bed
In the Stovebolt Gallery
More pix on Flickr

Sold all the bikes, leaving California behind.