Mysterious oil leak

[eddy314]

I have a 79 with an 1800 head and Weber 32. It runs great but it leaves a puddle of oil any where I park it and is a little embarrasing. It doesn't seem to leak much just standing but the more I drive it the more it leaks. Its leaking somewhere in the front. I'll notice oil over the bottom engine compartment cover that bolts on under the radiator and also the engine oil pan. After a long drive I suspect the oil finds its way to the hot engine or exhaust and makes my wifes clothes smell oiley and fumey. I, of course enjoy that smell but up to a point.

I can't tell where its coming from. I've wiped down the engine and take it for a long test drive and when I'm done, there will be oil all over the cover and pan again. Its like the oil is being blown or flung up there but I can't tell what part of the engine its coming from. The cam seals look clean, the timing belt is not oily, I don't see any oil seeping from the head gasket. I can't figure out: 1) where the leak is coming from and, 2) how is it being blown or flung forward of the engine.

Any ideas how I can determine where its leaking? I'd like to get this fixed so I can attend the FreakOut without carrying a supply of cardboard to put under the car whenever we stop.

[narfire]

Oil filter on tight? Oil comes out of there at a pretty good pressure.(don't ask how I know) Front seal leaking? If you can clean the top of the oil pan at the front,use brake cleaner even and take the car for a run and see if it leaks. Cam tower gasket?
Chris

[Ken]

I had a leaking cam box cover and found after measuring the nut and the depth of the hole to where the nut bottomed out I only had .010 compression on the gasket and that was with new gaskets with new gaskets. I also found some new washers in a Chev 350 gasket kit to replace the washers under the nut heads.

[eddy314]

If the cam gaskets were leaking , you would be able to see the trail or obvious signs wouldn't you? I don't see any drips or anything coming from the top of the engine.

Does anyone know of a special oil dye that you can add to help pinpoint leaks?