On this model, the jug bottom has 2 dowel pins on the corners, one on the exhaust side, one on the intake side. The exhaust side, which is close to my leak had no oring, just a slip fit of the pin. I will check the parts diagram again, but pretty sure this is correct. so seems to be relying on the gasket to seal, assuming oil is even traveling in that cavity. It may be head bolt only.
The weeping seems less after running the engine a few times, but still there even if slowing down. Not sure I want to torque the head bolts tighter but starting to wonder if they needed a little more tightening from the beginning. some have suggested not to reuse the old bolts as they may be throwing off the torque reading off.
What’s more baffling, After 10 mins of driving in only first and second gear it stalled out and would not start. Checked compression and it went from 200 to 90. I let it sit over night and rechecked compression and it went back up to 130 and I was able to start it. I have never seen anything like this.
Going to remove valve covers and see if oil is making its way to the head. Something is clearly amiss, so going to tear back down and give it a second look. In addition to proper seal, I think I now also have to consider oil blockage and/or pump pressure issues, recheck valve seals.