It looks like I have either a head gasket or valve cover gasket leak. I saw a drip of oil coming down the edge of the Bell housing. Checking oil doesn't show it down any so I'm assuming it's enough to see the drip, too slow to really matter yet.

What is the best way to determine if it is the valve cover or the head gasket? It's somewhat tight in there which makes it hard to see. Shampoo the engine then watch hourly with a mirror?

If it is the valve cover how long should it take to replace? If it is the head gasket how long for that? If it's long enough I may swap in a set of ported/polished heads. There's only about 40,000mi on the engine, I'm leaning towards valve cover vs head at that mileage but I don't want to take the risk.

 

You most likely have a v/c gasket leak which is normal. Go power scrub the engine and then watch to see where the flow is coming from. To replace the v/c gasket you just about need to remove the intake manifold. I would suggest if it is the v/c gasket, you get the correct socket and gust ever so gently tighen up the 2 bolts you can get to.

 

OK, that was my gut feeling. Once I've got the transmission pan back on I'll wash things up and keep an eye on it.