Yup sounds like the exact same leak as mine. I finally got my balancer off today too, wow I was scared. Not only at how hard it was to come off, but what I found when looking close at crank threads. Turns out someone has already repaired threads in the crank with a thread repair recoil, yippy just what I did not want to find. Looks like it is 1/2" fine thread now. Anyhow my next issue is I can not get my cover off! I guess I have to do something with the pan? I just dont see how the damn pan is holding that on the bottom, but I don't wana get in a bad predicatment now. I didn't even think I was going to have to mess with the pan on this 454, but its obviously not coming off. It did not appear to be the seal leaking on it, but moreso the area where it meets the oil pan. I wish Id had one of these apart before, but never have. SO, do I have to drain all the brand new oil I put in it before putting away? and do I have to pull the pan then? can I get away without pulling the pan completely off and what am I going to find where the pan and cover come together, im pretty sure I have a one piece oil pan gasket? My last issue when it comes time is going to be getting the balancer back on, I am nervous about pulling on them recoiled threads to get it back on. Why me? lol

If the engine hasn't been run since October and there was residual oil on the seal, I would think the seal is suspect. Oil wouldn't run up from the pan or around to the front from the timing chain cover gasket. Oil runs down inside the cover from the lifter valley and lubes the chain and runs over the crank snout. Crankcase pressure can push it out from the crank seal. Check your balancer for wear at the seal lip. Replace the seal and give it a run. It's some work to put it back together but I think that's the culprit. Alot less work by far than either the cover or pan gaskets which are unlikely to just start leaking. Good Luck!

General, to pull the cover you need to at least loosen the front few pan bolts. Theres a lip that locks the cover to the pan. Doing so however will most likely ruin the pan seal for sure, so be very sure that you think it's the pan gasket leaking or the cover gasket. The most likely is the crank seal as I described. Probly easier to pull the engine and do the pan gasket properly. By the way the threads in the crank snout are supposed to be 1/2" fine machine thread.

Well in my opinion I don't think it is the seal leaking from what I see. But my problem at this point now is that I have broken the gasket seal now on the cover in an attempt to remove, so I guess I am SOL now with no turning back now. I am not pulling the motor out of this boat, I will burn it before I pull a motor lol.

You have to pull more than a front couple of pan bolts. Pull all the bolts you can reach on both sides of the pan, leave a few in the rear. I use plastic wedges (log splitting type) and slowly pry the pan down and use the wedges to hold the pan away from the block. Be super careful removing the front cover so that you do not mess up the gasket were it wraps around the timing cover (tear it and you are pulling the pan). You will see the rear lip of the timing cover and you have to slip the gasket around and off of it to get the cover loose. Check to see the condition of the cover were the lip is spot welded to the cover. The oil will travel in the crack where the two are mated. When going back togather smear that seam with some good sealant (Pro seal or Right Stuff) and carefully reinstall..

Can the seal be replaced with the timing cover still intact? Is there a special seal installer used in the case where the crank snout is sticking out yet?

I think i do have a very small groove where the seal rides on the balancer. What can i do about that?

Try polishing the grove out with some fine emery cloth and see if it will pull out. If not a new dampner would be the best bet. Yes you can install a new seal with the cover on (prefer not) but you can use a piece of pipe the same dimensions as the seal outer surface a big washer and drive it in with the the balancer bolt very slowly and carefully (home made installer).

Yeah, I had already taken some emery paper to it. It took about 50% of the groove out. I can barely catch it with my finger nail now. It should be fine.

I'll be picking up a new seal and give that a wirl. Do you guys grease the seal lip when installing the balancer?

Yes use some assembly lube or light grease. Depends how long it is going to sit b-4 running. If your going to fire it right up, light lube will work.

it will be sitting for another 3 wks at least..........