That short piece of pan gasket is to allow replacement without removing the pan.  Just clean both surfaces, maybe a drop of silicone sealer where the new gasket contacts the front of the block, and bolt it all back together.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I removed the timing cover on my 55 Tbird.   I bought a gasket set that has a partial gasket that would seal the front of oil pan that contacts the timing cover.   My car has power steering I read you have to remove part of the steering to remove the oil pan.   Is there a way to replace this partial gasket without removing steering components?

I just had my wheel alignment done a couple of months ago I don't want to mess up the alignment if possible