Instead of using silicone RTV use a thin (.010") film of lock-tite "Gasket Maker" on both sides of the gasket and put it on finger tight. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then tighten slightly with a nut spinner - leave your ratchet in your tool box. You do NOT have to crush the gasket - as you have discovered.
Well thanks, guys. It's all taken care of now. Been raining too hard tonight for a proper road test, but after a lengthy warmup in the garage and a 30-minute slip-n-slide convenience store run, I am convinced there's no more oil leak. Wiper linkage is holding strong, too.
