Ben---
I noticed in your post above a reference to the 'bolt torque' of the pan to the front cover.
When I worked at T&C Livonia, I was, very peripherally, involved in an engineering study of bolt torque values where a compressible gasket was involved. The conclusion from the study was that there really is no such thing as a sustained torque value under such conditions due to the infinite 'give' of the gasket material. I agree on the suggestion, above, of the use of studs. (I make them from stainless 'all-thread'.) And a small 'oomph' is just right when using a 3/8ths-drive socket and ratchet.
KS
