i just replaced the valve cover gaskets, but i can still smell burning oil. it is not nearly as much as it was before, but it'* still there and i do not like it. i noticed last time i changed my oil, that there was a lot of oil on the underside and around the oil pan... thinking maybe it is the oil pan gasket leaking? it'* been about two weeks since i did valve cover gaskets so i highly doubt any oil is still burning off....

With the weather warming up you need a chance to clean that engine down really well. I've seen oil over time build up and leave a layer that will burn and smell for years.

Mine was similar to yours and with the excessive oil leaking for so long you can't tell where it'* really coming from until cleaning, a little driving to get any leaks flowing again and then looking it over.

oil pan gasket is about $45

Well if it is the oil pan gasket only, it wouldn't be burning on the exhaust manifolds. (unless your engine is more different than mine than i realize) I had to replace both the valve cover gaskets and the lower intake manifold gaskets to stop this problem.

JDB reminded me..
I did the valve covers and still had a smell after a while..
lower intakes were my next push, they were seeping slowly.

eh... how much of a PITA was that? and how much did that cost? yeah i really need to clean the engine and get a good look at where it'* coming from... maybe if i stop at NEBF i'll do that