Originally Posted by puzzler

sure you can try sealing from outside..interesting. But properly done in the headgasket repair procedures...you can quite successuflly do the timing cover wihtout these measures..YOu just need to tilt the cover toward the engine which pinches the gasket at the near corners to the head..and lifts the far side over the ridge in the gasket..DO NOT install the guide rail pin until AFTER the cover is in place..and when its close enough to pop it under the centering pins on the cyl head..it will then move into place at the base gripping the gasket perfectly..Then you can install the guide rail pin and bolts..(I had to do repeated removals on my car and got pretty good at the RR ) Some guides install the guide rail pin prior to the timing cover and thats crazy..It comes out first, goes in AFTER..Mine doesnt leak a drop..Yes, a bit of sealant where indicated..very little on the mating surfaces of the metal-metal or none..