TA-31 and FE oil pan questions

[lippy]

A few months ago I changed out my oil pan gaskets. I have a Pond aluminum FE block and an Aviaid pan with a windage tray. I used the FelPro gaskets, glued them to the windage tray using Permatex Hi-tack red gasket cement, and used TA-31 between the gasket and the block, and between the other gasket and the pan. I was very careful to make sure everything was perfectly clean (I used brake cleaner on all surfaces) and flat (I checked the surfaces on a piece of plate glass and didn't over torque).

I apparently did something wrong because it started to leak again. A bit of a PITA but no huge deal, part of the learning process. I took the pan off tonight and expected to have a heck of a time removing the pan. Once I drained it and scored around the gaskets with a utility knife, it came off fairly easily. The gaskets were glued well to the windage tray with the Permatex cement, but it looks like the TA-31 did not adhere very well to the block, or to the pan. I'm wondering if brake cleaner didn't do the job, or if, during the time it took to put everything together (I tried to work quickly), the TA-31 skinned and wasn't tacky enough by the time I torqued everything down. I also think I didn't torque the bolts down frequently enough after it went through a few heat cycles and that contributed to the leak.

My questions are:
- Has anyone had the same problem with TA-31? Any hints?
- Is brake cleaner adequate to clean the surfaces?
- Do you usually roughen up the surfaces?
- Is it advisable to use blue Loctite on the pan bolts so they don't loosen?
- How many times/when do you retorque the bolts right after you install the pan?

This time around I'm using the Milodon crush-proof gaskets. Also, I'm almost thinking it may be better to use the Permatex Hi-tack on all four surfaces, except for the fact that it is a very thin coating and won't fill in the stamped flutes on the pan. Maybe it would be good to use it on three surfaces and just use the TA-31 between the lower gasket and the pan.

Any help and fine points would be appreciated. Thanks.