I'm almost done with installing a new aluminum timing gear.

It seems the prior mechanic who worked on the car was about as

good at working on cars as I am because I had to make the the

timing marks on the crank gear line up 180 degrees off from

the timing mark on the cam gear -- I take it this means the cam

was put in turned around? I just put everything back together

the way I found it with a new gear -- should I have turned

crank so it was lined up correctly, or should I not bother with

it now (it is a &#^!&@#&%^%Q@@!#%$ to pull these gears without

taking out the radiator).

My main questions are --

The pan gasket was all torn up where the timing gear cover

mated to the oil pan, and I have no gasket to go there. Should

I buy some of that gasket stuff (the cork sheets) and make a new

gasket to go there, or should I just glob on tons of gasket maker?

I really don't like using gasket maker, but in this case it might

be easier.

All kinds of crap got into the pan while the cover was off;

I was going to change the oil before driving it, fill it with

cheap oil, drive it a day or two, then change the filter and oil

again. Should I just use an oil flush product instead? If so

what kind of flush should I use?

Without this board, I'd be up a creek without a boat or brick

thanks!

chris