Good find!
Evidently the crushed baffle drains allow the oil that is flung up into the breather area to reside long enough to start spilling over into the tube.
From there it goes wherever (catch can or back into the manifold).
Why the baffle drains were closed up I guess is the $64K question. Maybe the previous owner (PO) like to mosquito fog with it. Who knows.
But once seen with the difference between the two valve covers it does become evident that the valve cover with the closed up drain slits was the problem.
You are now promoted to a resident 4AC guru for your persistence in finding/fixing this issue.
WELL DONE!
Hank Dozier
renamed: crazy oil leak from Valve Cover?
Re: renamed: crazy oil leak from Valve Cover?
"When the going gets, wierd, the Wierd turn Pro" -- Hunter S. Thompson