Putting the 72 back together and have a static oil leak coming from the top inside oil pump cover screw. Now I know shovels are known to leak, but this engine has been sitting for 10 months! Should there be some type of sealer on the screw threads or is there possibly a problem with the cover gasket?

Ran the engine prior to removal and the only leaks it had were from the rocker shaft end plugs. These have been fixed.

I'm stumped how oil could be leaking from an engine that has been sitting covered up on an engine stand and not run.

 

its the nature of it - not running sitting the oil seen low can be coming from up top as no wind or dirt has happened

changing the location and color of the - pull the cone off is the log way - pulling front lifter block is the shorter way but you leave the shaft in place