i have done this plentyu of times with no trouble!!!
I BElieve there is some other problem other than the pan leaking, i think it is the front seal. Why it is leaking , i have no idea. This engine was built by ohio crankshafts and dynoed then sent to us. I noticed oil dripps on the bottom of the harmonic balancer when we received it, but paid it no attention. Now, the engine building factory built it and it leaked, i took it apart,(complete pan removal on engine stand) and delicately looked it over and installed new pan and timing cover seal, and it started leaking again. This is an unusual problem and have never had this problem before. One professional engine builder did it and it leaked, and i did it and it leaked, and i really paid it close attention. Do you think the front timing cover could be off center and ruining the seal? Although the seal looks really good when we took it off.