I’ve posted this question in the past after previous attempts to fix the problem, so if you’ve read it in the past, feel free to ignore.

The problem is an oil leak at the front of the crankshaft on my 77 gas engine.

I’ve just now replaced the spring-loaded gasket as well as the felt, for the second time.

Earlier I had replaced the timing gear cover.  

I’m getting a leak around the fan pulley – a drop or two per minute.  

I believe the cork gasket is firmly against the timing gear cover. The fan pulley snaps into place when I install it.  

So my guess is that the oil comes in between the gear on the crankshaft and the back (metal) part of the spring gasket.  It then comes along the crankshaft forward to the fan pulley (the metal frame of the spring gasket does not fit oil-tight on the crankshaft).  

At this point I assume the job of the felt gasket is to stop this oil…..?

I’ve soaked the new gasket in oil before installing.  I’ve also soaked the felt, though I now notice that the manual does not call for that.  (But it has leaked much more than was in the felt.)
  
Am I missing some part that would keep the oil from coming forward along the crankshaft, from the point where the spring gasket rests against the crankshaft gear?

The 3 holes from the timing gear area into the block are plugged with screws as they should be.

Before I overhauled the engine a couple of years ago I did not have this leak.

Cannot think of what else to try.  Ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Tom Murray