Back in November, I replaced the heads on my 04 3.0 as described in the Ford TSB for valve seat recession. After that, it had an oil leak on the driver's side and I traced it to the valve cover gasket. I pinched it in the back and it was leaking. Now, it seems to be leaking on the driver's side again. But I have inspected the valve cover gasket with a mirror and by hand and it is spotless. It's kinda tight up in there and hard to see. It is coming down behind the starter and dripping off the side of the bellhousing behind the starter. The starter is a little damp, but I think that's where I've been changing the oil filter right above it. Any ideas? It's a slow leak, but it has gotten on the exhaust over time and I can smell it after a long drive. Sorta annoying.

 

So no one's ever had an oil leak in this area?

 

I have a leak as well, I believe mine is where my oil filter screws on. On passenger side.

2000 4.0 ohv v6 4x4

 

Have you checked the oil filter itself? I know it seems trivial, but hey it happens.
could also be a valve cover gasket, but i've never had this happen to me personally, so i don't exactly know.

How many miles, have you checked your valve cover gaskets?