I have to go back in and degree the cam on a poor running 340 and I just dread it! I have had issues with the front oil pan gasket popping completely out of place after assembly and other oil leak issues. I usually loosen a few oil pan bolts and wedge a couple of screwdrivers under the lip of the oil pan to pry it down a little, then install the cover. I don't think it would go on without this but maybe someone knows an efficient way to do this whole job, or at least doesn't dread it as much as I do/// Thanks for any helpful ideas.

I don't have any suggestions on the gasketing part but when you are putting the timing cover on draw the harmonic balancer on part way to center the cover before bolting the cover to the block. I bought a set of cam advance keys & I shudder to think of the work that's going to be involved to make use of this $35 part!

Be careful with bolt length especially 2nd from bottom on the drivers side, too long and you could distort or crack #1 cylinder. I use a thin coat of RTV on the gasket. Put the bottom of the timing cover on the gasket and use a long philips head screw driver in the upper bolt holes to push down on the cover until you can start the upper bolts.