Originally Posted by TheOtherDave™

First and foremost, be absolutely sure that all traces of the old sealant are gone. If there's a lump of old RTV sealant on the block at the mating surface for the pan, you'll have a leak in no time.

Modifying the method I used on my old GTi, I'd recommend that you:
1) Apply the hondabond sealant to both side of the gasket.

2) Lay the gasket down on the pan and align it with the bolt holes. Make sure it is absolutely flat, with no creases. Inspect the mating surface on the block; it must be completely free of old sealant.

3) Raise the pan up to the block; support it on a couple sections of 2x4 or whatever you've got lying around.

4) Start by hand threading each bolt in; finish using the cross pattern outlined in the Helms manual.