I've seen leaks from the oil filter to block gasket run down the side of the pan, not off the bellhousing. I've seen valve cover gasket leaks come off the bell housing. Rear main can leak there also. Has anyone tried replacing the lower half of the rear main seal w/o removing the engine? I think the lower half is more likely to leak due to the fact that gravity pulls it down away from the sealing surface whereas the top half is pulled down onto the sealing surface.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13