U think a leaky rear valve cover gasket could drip oil on ground but not drip on manifold and smoke/smell? What else would cause a good oil leak on backside of motor? I just did trans filter and bottom of motor is a mess. Block looks wet above oil pan gasket.

Yes.

the oil leak is enough to make me change gasket. i did it on our gtp couple years ago. not real hard. i also did it on my caddy. had to lower front of subframe to tilt motor forward to get cover away from firewall. that was not hard but kinda awkward. i know the alternator is in way. but not much else. i changed p/s pump last month so i know motor better now.

Make sure you check the valve cover for cracks around the bolt holes, I had to put new ones on mine because of this.

Try changing a rear valve cover on a car with a Cartuning Turbo kit :P

There is a bracket for engine lift point on rear of motor and another bracket for plastic engine cover. Can both of these be left off? They bolt into head with blind holes? Hard to see since its on backside of motor. Don't use plastic cover.

I dont see any reason why they cant be left off. That one bracket does hold the wiring harness for the o2 sensor from touching the ex manifold but could be tied up elsewhere.

I took off brackets this Summer changing plugs. It occurred to me oil leak seemed to start about that time. Would be typical for oil to leak to start because of something I did. I am not sure if u can buy 1 VC gasket or need to get a 2pack.

Rock Auto sells single VC gaskets: FEL-PRO Part # VS50320R (w/o Grommets).

does the alternator bracket have to come off to remove cover? i changed the coolant elbows this summer and figure they will break if i take off bracket. i cannot wiggle the valve cover out from under the bracket. of course i will drain all my coolant on floor if i take off alt bracket.

Yes, it does.