I'm in the middle of replacing the timing belt. When doing this I also replace the following items:

camshaft, intermediate and crankshaft seals

timing belt tensioner

waterpump

OK, everything is off and I have cleaned off the surfaces from a long time of oil leaks. When I cleaned off the front seal housing, I noticed some of the screews are actually loose (I could turn them with my fingers). As it turned out the top three screws were loose, the rest were tight. I tightened the screws. Then I stopped to think a little about what to do with the gasket for this housing (if anything). It is possible that part of my oil leak was coming from this housing being loose. Now, my question is if I have to replace the gasket, or if I can only put on some locktire on the screws and tighten them (assuming the bond of the gasket is broken will it continue to leak if it is only retightened?). The reason I hesitate a little about replacing this front seal housing gasket is because part of it sits right against the oil pan. I know what a pain the oil pan gasket is to replace, and I would like to avoid that if at all possible. Also the front seal housing gasket has to be trimmed to be flush with the oil pan gasket, which I think would make it very difficult (if not impossible) to replace without taking off the oil pan. A few screws come from underneight the oil pan and connect to the front seal housing, and I fear if I remove the housing, I have to remove the oil pan and replace the oil pan seal not to have a huge oil leak.

One last question. What is the torque setting for the bolts for the front seal housing. Haynes didn't mention anything, but I assume there is a correct setting and a wrong one.

Thanks in advance for your help.