Front Oil leak in my 97

[97BIGDEEZY]

It been awhile since i've been on the stroke... I've searched the threads and posts trying to find one on a front of the motor oil leak. My 97 has 48,000 original miles and the previous owner let it sit for months on end. This leak was undoubtedly a part of that. I only let it sit for a few days at a time. This leak is coming from the bottom; front of the motor just under the pulley for the belt. It looks like some gray silicone was applied there before. It leaks onto my front axle and steering stabilizer. Little annoying drops on my driveway. It doesnt seem to be effecting normal oil consumption with these 7.3's though. (about a quart or less between oil changes 3-5,000 miles) Has anyone had this problem before> And what might it be? Or take to fix it??? Much appreciate some help...

[rottys]

here is a bump for ya,those were famous for galley plug leaks, but that sounds like a front main seal,but i'm not a mech.i'll let one of the smart guys answer.good luck!

[metallitera]

front main aint that bad to replace it looks. I have a haynes book and it looks like the front main isnt half in block and half in the pan. Just gotta pull pulley & dampener and then you can get at the seal.

[wrenchbender140]

I would confirm it isn't a front gallery plug, before installing a main. I thought mine had a main leak until I cleaned front of engine, let it idle for a while and saw oil leaking from gallery plug. It's a little hard to see behind all the hanger brackets.