You do not have to pamper that engine block like you do AL surfaces. With that said, you could get after it with a scraper like you would use to remove stickers off the glass on your car. I had one with a razor blade on a handle that made short work of the old gasket.

Be sure to give the pump a push up be before you tighten any of the nuts or bolts.

Since I was solo on my last one, used a long stick with a v cut in the end. Put the stick up behind the front pulley and slowing raised my jack until the pump moved up just a bit. Did the trick, just enough pressure to hold it in place while you tighten.

And you do not need a lot of gasket compound on there. Just a light glaze to hold the new seal in place while you snug up and tighten up.

Regards,

Paul