The valve cover gaskets leaked like a sieve, and even after replacing them, still do a little bit. Is all this from years and years of oil from that? Also, I see a few drippy droppies of coolant. Like, only a couple really tiny ones. Is it possible for coolant to leak on this area? I've also been bleeding this thing just about daily on the hunt for an air bubble. Could there be a leak from the back of the head gasket that wouldn't show up on the exhaust gas test?

 

The oil on the block looks very old. So does the oil on the valve cover sides.

How long ago did you do valve cover gaskets? did you clean up well?

 

@Brandon318 Get some engine degreaser get rid of that then check, and yes it possible to have a head gasket leak back there. BUT that looks like old oil to me.

 

Closing out the thread - was a leaking head gasket. The water jacket at the rear of the right-hand gasket was the cause. New head gasket, no leaks!