[oldbluesplayer]

Klaucke -

the oil pan butts up to the cam chain cover, with a seal between the two, which can, over time, squeeze out, causing an oil leak. It's a weak design, but easy to build, and in an auto application, the original design, a minor leak is no big deal. The oil inside the cam chain cover is not under pressure, so any leak will not be serious.

To do it right, the oil pan must be dropped. The cam chain cover has a hole in it, with a seal - the crankshaft snout comes out thru that - thus, it critically locates the cam chain cover - what I'm saying is that the cam chain cover has to go straight onto the fron of the block, located by the seal for the crank snout, and then the oil pan can be pulled down onto the cam chain cover, compressing the gasket between the two. You won't be able to do it backwards.

However, because the oil inside the cam chain cover is not under pressure, you might well be able to survive the season by cleaning off the outer surface well, getting rid of all traces of oil, and then slobbering a band aid of good automotive gasket making RTV, over the area. I've done this before on a leaking valve cover gasket, and had good success - though at the end of the season you will want to get it properly taken care of.

hope that helps. Good Luck !!

Bill