Hello Chris,

I did get my 77 started last week and it sounds pretty smooth.

Bad news is I have an oil leak at the front main seal.  

I had replaced that cork seal as part of the overhaul.

I talked to a mechanic at the dealer I go to -- they used to sell Oliver.  He said sometimes the belt pulley sleeve pushes that cork gasket, which is on a spring of course, and keeps it away from the surface of the timing gear cover.

I took it apart that far (leaving the timing cover on)  and the gasket appears to be ok.  There is a snap when I push the pulley in. I don't think it is binding the gasket.

I do see that the crankshaft appears to be very slightly off-center of the timing cover opening, and has  rubbed a little on one side of that opening.  Looks to  me that this happened over the years, not just now.

The new leak is very noticeable, not quite a steady drip but no question it's leaking.  Certainly I did not have a leak there this bad before the overhaul.

Maybe my next step is a new timing gear cover ($458).  Is there anything I should try before that?

Thanks very much.

Tom