Applying silicone gasket maker

When making the new section of gasket, does anyone know the best way to apply the silicone to make sure none seeps inside and drops into the oil pan?

I was told if this happens it could get into the bearings and destroy the engine.

Also, using Permatex ‘High Tack’ gasket sealant to seal the timing cover and water pump gaskets. Do you have the same possible problem here? They only say to ‘apply a thin even coat’ with no additional info.

Thanks, Don

One thing I do know is that you have to have faying surfaces which are totally free of oil. This is very hard to do with a partially assembled unit. (Manufacturers like silicone gaskets because their piece parts are easily degreased.)

As for gasket cements, use either Permatex #2 (toothpaste consistency) or Permatex #3 (brushable).

We had a SBC in the shop that the owner had worked on that had so much silcone under the valve covers, and he must have started it right up, that it had "collars" of silicone wrapped around most of the pushrods.

Another example was a manual FWD transaxle from a small car that had a ball bearing fail.
This tranny's bearings were lubed by the oil that was flung up by the gears landing in a trough. The oil was then channeled to one end of the shafts. The shafts were hollow, and for the bearings at the other end to get oil, oil had to flow through the hollow shafts. The hollow shafts were PLUGGED with a large amount of red silcone gasket maker, and the top, far-end bearing ran dry. The source of the silcone was the tranny was worked over when almost new, under warrantee, by the dealer. They used way too much silicone, and as chunks broke off over time, they were chewed up by the gears, and gradually deposited in the oil passages.