Well thanks for the hints so far. I installed the Fel Pro 1- piece gasket for the
oil pan with a thin coat of RTV one time - didn't seem to help a lot.
Maybe I'll do as recommended and move back to the cheap cork and rubber gaskets for the
oil pan.
I'm still thinking it might have been more of a timing cover seal problem than the
oil pan gasket. Guess I'll find out with the new balancer and a fresh seal.