It looks like the freshest oil is coming from behind the balancer.

 

Yup, I had that seal leak on me! I had a small oil leak when I would drive the car around the block, BUT when I got on it hard, the leak became worse. I would come to a light and smoke would come from the oil hitting the passenger side header. It made a mess of the whole underneath. Looked like it was coming from the fuel pump. But it was actually from that seal in the timing chain cover. Not a real hard fix. Just a pain to get to. If you don't want to remove the chain cover, then your best bet would be to remove the fan, harmonic balancer, and fan shroud. This will give you some room to get to it and replace it.

 

I would try the valve cover gasket first before the front seal.

A leaking valve cover gasket leaking sometimes will make you wonder where the oil leak is.

 

Just curious,, If he has oil already leaking at the front, what makes you think oil leaking from a valve cover would go against the fan and air current to get to the front?

 

The OP says he's got oil leaking out from under the harmonic dampener, I don't think valve cover gaskets are that tricky.


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

 

i had a similar problem that only showed up at high rpm. turned out to be the timing chain cover. at speed the oil is thrown outward and drips down at the front of the motor. i made a large S shaped tool that fit around the damper that allowed me to crease the cover in between the bolts when i tapped it with a hammer. no more leak. it was a tip from an old (and i do mean old) time racer.

 

There are no leaks from the valve cover gaskets. These are centerbolt style covers since I have vortec heads.

Current plan of attack is to find a free weekend to replace the front crank seal and timing chain cover gasket. I'll report back if anything changes.

 

Did you replace the harmonic balancer ? They can just have the slightest groove in them and blow oil.

On another note !

WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF YOUR CAR

Beautiful !