I'm chasing an oil leak., back, distributor side of motor. Replaced the gasket on the vertical plate the distributor goes into, it was wet, and wanted to start at the highest point. Still leak'n.

under valve cover doesnt seem wet. Whats the most common leak on 79 320i, I'm think'n cyl head, but it's so hard to see where the source is, everything gets wet. It's not sever, but will leave me quarter size puddle.

On some engines supposedly some of the exhaust manifold studs intersect the oil passages in the block. Might need to put in a new stud and seal it with loctite. Or is it actually on the back of the engine? Did you put any sealer on that new gasket?

I'm chasing an oil leak., back, distributor side of motor. Replaced the gasket on the vertical plate the distributor goes into, it was wet, and wanted to start at the highest point. Still leak'n.

under valve cover doesnt seem wet. Whats the most common leak on 79 320i, I'm think'n cyl head, but it's so hard to see where the source is, everything gets wet. It's not sever, but will leave me quarter size puddle.
Degrease everything and then watch with a good flashlight while it idles, or better yet, have someone hold the gas at @2000rpms while you look.
I had an oil leak in the general area you're describing. Left about two stains the size of a dime on the ground wherever I'd park it. Determined it was my headgasket "weeping" oil. Really easy to see once you clean it up (dry) and observe a minute or two with it running.

On some engines supposedly some of the exhaust manifold studs intersect the oil passages in the block. Might need to put in a new stud and seal it with loctite. Or is it actually on the back of the engine? Did you put any sealer on that new gasket?

Had this on the '02 but it would weep onto the manifold. You could smell it.