Thanks Mike,

thats how I did it the first and now the second time. I had the wrench set to 5 ft lbs but the gasket started to split before I even reached that point. Thats why I stopped tightening yesterday. I guess it is do to the dimpling now. But it leaked too much, so I tightened it to 8 ft lbs this morning with more splitting.

When you say "in a pattern" do you mean crosswise like the star pattern I use for tires? I tightened all the bolts to contact first and then went around the pan a few times just tightening every bolt a little further and then going to the next bolt.

The cardboard I placed under the pan does not show a drop yet (2 1/2 hours later). I might get away with the replacement til the next oil change.

Thanks again.