Oil Leak

["Stegmann, Steve" <Steve.Stegmann@domain.elided>]

Guys,

I'm searching for an oil leak.  I stopped the leaking pressure sender with a
new one, same pressure readings, no leaks.

Next lets turn to the rear of the engine.  Take off the front flywheel
cover, and the throwout bearing inspection plate.  there's oil dripping from
the cast block to which the clutch pedal fork attaches.  I imagine this is
coming from the transmission, it looks like the 50w I just put in there.   

I should say here that the entire inside of the clutch housing from the
engine to the transmission is wet with oil, always has been.

There's oil leaking from the back of the engine.  I'm leaning toward the oil
pan gasket, every other gasket seems to leak except the head gaskets.  I
inspected the rear main as well as I could, can't really get to it, pretty
tight fit.  I worked a piece of clean paper toweling between the flywheel
mounting hub and the rear main bearing and it came out clean & dry. (The
front main is also dry) The flywheel has had some oil, or liquid on it at
one time or another, it isn't perfectly clean, but then it seems "way" too
dry to account for all the leakage back there. It looks the same as it did
when I last looked in here a year ago.

 I've noticed that if the oil pan gasket leaks back there, it will drip down
inside the front flywheel cover plate, and then the wind from the clutch and
flywheel can easily whip it arount in there.  BTW the starter gears, and the
clutch side of the flywheel are dusty dry.

Any comments?  I'm way to lazy to replace the rear main unless I *really*
need to.

How much clearance do I need between the axle and the front part of the oil
pan to get the oil pan out without disconnecting the axle?  I have a 2"
skyjacker which works out to 4" of lift in the front and 3" in the back
based upon Eldons ride height information.

Thanks,

Steve