Yes it does. Use the correct gasket, no sealer. The oil pump is an integral part of the timing cover.
I smear a thin coat on both sides of the gasket. Reason being covers are usually pitted and the block can be pitted as well , and seeing how you had a leak, you probably have a pitting issue, if it's real bad fill them with JB and then sand flat
Be careful loosening the bolts on the cover. Not to be Debbie Downer but that can open up a can of worms you'll want no part of. Have you been able to loosen the long bolts?
Yes, but the timing cover has passages from the oil pump. You don't want gasket maker squeezing into the passages, not even a little. Use a gasket and very minimal sealant if you must, as Ethan suggested. If it is pitted, do as Ethan suggested.
I should clarify , I usually just put it around the water port area , and if there is any down there around the oil ports it's super thin. As Larry noted you get carried away down there and will hinder oil flow, get lodged etc
The Victor Rienz gasket is thicker and softer than the Felpro so it is good for the covers with surface irregularities
It will be fine, just pay close attention to the sealing surfaces and address them as needed and you'll be good, spray it black or red and you have to look at that dopey brite blue poking out everywhere
I've had no issues with the felpro and have never had an issue. I use a little around the water ports and up over the arch, I had a little accumulated oil up under the distributor b4 I started putting a thin coat up over the arch
On the bottom where the pan meets the cover put a 1/8in tall bead in the joint then smear a coat on the pan then lay the cork gasket in and then put another bead in the joint there at the black ontop of the cork then apply a coat on the cover where it seats on the cork, the after its cinched up take you finger and push the excess into the seam between the cover and pan, if there isn't enough excess put a small bead and push it in tight especially in the corners where the pan,cover and block come together. A little sealer on the pan bolts are a good idea too, they'll weep sometimes If you question the front seal now is your time, use a TA seal, if it was dry before leave it be
