5.7l Mercruiser small oil leak

[Will 55]

I have a minor oil leak on my 5.7l 260 Merc on an '87 230 WE. There seems to be oil on the oil filter housing, but not on the filter itself, so it's not the filter seal. This is not a remote oil filter housing, it's near the back of the engine port side. Is this a known area where leaks occur? How difficult is it to remove this housing? I assume there's a gasket in there that may be leaking? The leak is not severe. Less than a quart over the entire season. Anyone deal with this?

 

[scoflaw]

Yup there's an o ring in the housing. Bitch to get to, but if you got room go for it.

 

[JHornsby3]

Might be a good time to remove the filter block and get the remote filter mount. Make it easier the next oil change. Just a thought.