I have just been running my engine briefly with the timing cover removed. I noticed oil dripping from the two right hand (looking from the front) bolt holes which accept the cover bolts. It looks to me as though these tapped holes go into an oil return gallery.
Maybe the dripping people see, including myself, comes from these holes and not from the crankshaft or cam shaft seals.
When I removed my timing to cover to have it painted, I noticed the same oil weep during the week it was off from bottom left screw hole despite leaving screws in finger tight. Came to the same conclusion so re-assembled with thread sealant. No issues once cover back in place.
ETA: I suspect the four timing cover screws are a requirement to fully fully secure the intermediate cam mount plate in addition to the further four screws revealed when timing cover removed.
i.e. engine not designed to be run without timing cover.
