Need sump advice

I am at the point of refitting the oil pan to the 1275 rebuild. 
Should the cork main bearing seals go in dry or gopped up with some permatex 
type stuff?
Also should they be trimed flush with the pan or protrude a little?
Chilton's (not Hayes) suggests soaking them in hot water first. They are new 
and seem pliable. Soaking them in water, only to dry out (and shrink?) later 
doesn't seem to make any sense to me.

David Oliner
60 Bugeye
67 TR 4A