Perplexing Oil Leak from driver side valve cover

This one has me going in circles. Motor is a mid 80's low compression LA 360. Good oil pressure averaging 70 psi cold start up. I have tried several gaskets and adhesives, but I am still getting significant oil leaking from the rear of the driver's side valve cover. I even tried adhesive on both valve cover and head mating surface. Stock rocker arms and shaft with notch located front of motor and facing down. I have tried two different valve covers with the same results. Any suggestions?

Maybe it's coming from the outside? A hole in the casting is the other thought.

R.

I had this problem on a late 80's 318. The problem turned out to be a leak at the rear of the intake manifold near the distributor. I took it off and used Permatex Right Stuff sealer at the front and rear joints. Good stuff.

Also check to make sure the valve covers are not being held up off the heads by an aftermarket intake. Mine were. My valve covers are the cast MP ones with a lip. Sometimes the stamped stock units are warped around the bolt holes and need a little hammer work to flatten out.

Now I am chasing an oil leak at the passenger front that is not the fuel pump, valve cover, timing cover or dipstick tube...

Thanks for the suggestions. I will see if I can spot a crack or hole in the casting that is the problem. I did check the intake and distributor and no problem there. The search goes on.

I'm sure you know this but...
Clean and flat is first and foremost.



With composite gaskets, I use a thin film of silicone on all surfaces and let it set up for 24 hours before I tighten the bolts down.
With cork I use no sealant, but the same process.
Never had a valve cover leak. I prefer the cork.
Also, I second looking at the intake manifold gasket.
They can be deceiving.