so the alloy plate _only_ holds the seal in place?
If oil comes out of the seal would it run into the bellhousing or does the sandwich plate have a small hole in it that the shaft pokes through - so that the oil would run down the front (engine side) of the plate?
I'm trying to narrow down the possibilities. Will know if the whole shebang needs to be taken apart if there is still a leak after putting the sump back on.