Crankshaft Front Seal and Cover Gasket
 

I am preparing to attack the multiple oil leaks on my $print. Most look relatively simple - several spots on the accessory housing but, there is a small amount of oil inside the timing cover making me suspect the crank seal or crank cover gasket. The TSM says that in order to replace the crank cover gasket, the entire oil pan needs to be loosened. I know the front oil pan bolts must be removed but I don't see how all the others need to be loosened. Obviously I want to avoid loosening the pan since it it very difficult in the car but it will compromise the pan gasket.

Any helpful tips?

Hmm, I don't see why the oil pan needs to be moved at all. Yes the four bolts that go to the cover need to be removed, and removing the cover will damage the single piece oil pan gasket, but nothing RTV and maybe a trimmed piece of oil pan gasket would make an easy fix. A few times I've fully installed the oil pan (and gasket) then installed the front crank seal cover later, so I don't see why removal would be any different besides the damaged oil pan gasket.

The crank seal does not actually seal against the crank , the cover with the seal on it is easily removed from the front of the engine with plenty of clearance around the crank snout. The seal seals on the lower sprocket.

check for grooves on the snout where the seal contacts it
you may need a speedy sleeve

The seal doesn't touch the crank. Look on the sprocket.

Look for FELPRO TCS 30109 This is the Lower Cover Gasket, Front Oil Pan Gasket PC, and Crank Seal.

This allows you to leave the oil pan. But does require RTV sealant

not the crank snout
the sprocket snout