Properly sealing timing cover to oil pan.

There’s little to no clamping force between the cover and pan out on the corners. So the cover flange definitely needs to be straight and flat. You might get lucky getting the cover back on over the dowel pins and get a good seal between cover and oil pan with the old gasket. You might not. Don’t waste your time with the piece of cork pan gasket that comes in timing gasket sets.

Though it’s more work, you’ll get better results dropping the oil pan, installing the timing cover first, and reinstalling the pan with a new gasket. And a bead of good RTV in the seam between the cover and block at the bottom before the pan goes on. Super clean surfaces, no oil residue. Let things set up.

On a side note and FWIW, I’m a fan of old school Permatex products instead of RTV on everything: High Tack Sealant in a can, #2 sealant, Super 300 sealant, Aviation #3. They’re gasket dressings rather than gasket makers.

https://441py33rout1ptjxn2lupv31-wp...s/2015/12/Permatex_GasketDressingSelector.pdf