Forty years ago, I had this 68 Olds Cutlass wagon with a 350 and automatic. It had a very bad oil leak from the pan just below the front main seal. I was putting in a quart every 100 miles. It looked like to fix it that I was going to have to...at a minimum, loosen the trans and slide it back, and lift the engine to get at the pan. Then there was the frame and all of the steering that was in the way. It was going to be an awful job. So instead I cleared out as much of the old gasket as l could with a knife, and took brake cleaner and cleaned the area thoroughly. Then, took silicone gasket sealer and using my fingers squished the sealer into the opening. Smoothed out the gasket sealer and let it set for two days. I drove that car another 10 yrs to 180K miles. Never leaked another drop from that spot. Not saying that this is the answer...just saying...what ya got to loose? If it doesn't work, you were going to take it apart any way, and the only cost is a tube of gasket sealer and a comparatively minor amount of time.

Just my relatively informed, off the cuff, back yard mechanic, gut level, eyeball it up and guestimate, opinion....that's all...