I've had my head gasket done a while ago so head was cleaned/decked/etc.

now the front of the head is dirty/oilly and I've had to put more oil in. I'm guessing i've got a leaky oil seal on the crank or something becuase the whole front of the motor is pretty dirty.

Is this common, or could it be another simpler (read: cheaper) leak to fix?

Very common for them to leak at the top of the timing case. Originally Ford had a cork gasket in there, later they were changed to a rubber one. I found that instead of a gasket a good thick bead of Selastic worked far better, and lasted for years afterwards.

ic...

can i get the timing case off without pulling stuff off? cause if not i spose i'll just keep puttin oil in :\ hehe

No unfortunately, belts pulleys & the harmonic balancer needs to be removed.

SOunds more like your rocker cover gasket is in need of either tightening or replacement.

First things first, degrease the front of the head. Tighten up the retaining nuts on the top of the rocker cover (not too much, don't want to snap them off) and see if the oil leak continues.

If it does not then you are probably in need of a new gasket.

Wouldnt have thought that you would have a large oil loss if this was your only leak. Maybe your rear main seal is leaking as well. Is there any oil leaking at the back of your motor near your bell housing?

Anyway.......first things first, check your rocker cover gasket.

not sure.. i'll have a look this weekend on a hoist cause im taking the trans am in to get looked at so might be able to get em to lift up the fairmont.

I'm beginning to think i've done another headgasket or the head because just recently i've had to top up the oil and the water... which is F**k cause headgasket was done like 6000km ago but will have to investigate!

I'll also try tightening the bolts on the rocker cover, hoping its something simple.....