NE1 have any good tips for leak free sealing of the bottom end of a late [1 piece rear main seal and molded sump gasket] engine - use silicone or not, where to use extra silicone etc. What is the proper order for assembly - timing cover, rear main then sump or what??

 

Always put the timing cover on first, I use just a thin layer of silcone spread with your finger on both sides of the timing cover gasket. Don't forget to put a little grease on the inside lip of the crank seal.

Next install the rear main seal cap with seal installed, once again, use a thin layer of silicone on both sides of the gasket and grease the inside lip of the seal.

On both front and rear crank seals, use NO lube or sealer on the outside of the seal.

Next put a gob of silicone in the 4 corners where the pan gasket meets the timing cover and rear seal housing.

Install gasket.

Put gob of silicone in the same corners where the pan meets the gasket.

Install pan.

Use no sealer on the side rails of the pan gasket, this will make them slip out over time.

This is just how I do it..I'm sure there are other ways that work for other people just fine...just my 2 cents