440 Timing Cover removal, oil pan gasket questions

[zombezoo]

When I changed the pan on my 78 rv 440, I used that permatex gasket shellac to glue the gaskets to the windage tray and pan to prevent leaks. Long story short, my plans changed and now I want to do a cam swap on the engine in the car. Are there any tips for how to deal with the pan gasket? Am I going to have to try to drop the pan to replace the whole gasket?
Maybe razor blade can break the permatex shellac from the timing cover and top gasket? If I end up damaging the top gasket between the windage tray and the cover, can I just trim it back to the block and piece in a gasket for the cover area and rtv the joints at the block? Anyone with experience here on what works?
Trying to plan ahead...

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Your idea is good. Just replace any section of damaged gasket and use RTV, especially in the corners

 

[DanielSlocum]

Felpro sells a gasket kit just for the front of the engine. In said kit there is a cork gasket piece made to go between the timing cover and the pan to replace what will be the damage to the pan gasket from removal of the timing cover. You will need to use a good gasket maker/sealer on both sides and on both ends of that new cork gasket piece. Good luck.

 

[Daves69]

Trying to plan ahead...

You might consider.....

take a picture of your setup before you rip and tear.

a means of keeping the gasket scrapings out of the pan.

slinger orientation if you remove.

give your gasket sealer time to setup before cranking it up.

 

[WileE]

You don't have to drop the pan. The gasket kit will have the front section of the oil pan gasket. Thoroughly razor blade & clean the mating surfaces of the cover and the front area of the pan of the old shellac. Re-apply the shellac to the edge of the pan, along with the new gasket and cover, and re-install.

 

[zombezoo]

Thanks all, it seemed reasonable but figured it was worth putting out there in case someone had experience that said it was a bad idea.