Replacing timing cover and oil pan gasket...order?

In just re-installed the timing cover on my Magnum engine 3 months ago. I did not replace the pan gasket, but I made sure to loosen ALL the pan bolts, (remove the 2 attaching the oil pan to the cover) very loose in front & gradually reducing the looseness as I went rearward, cleaned the mating surfaces good, & like others here suggested, install the timing cover loosely, then the balancer, tightened the cover to spec, then I worked from back to front with the pan bolts. A little Hi-Tack on the pan gasket mating surface to cover, & mine is leak free to this day. Just take your time, keep everything pretty clean & torque everything to specification.