Thank you Rustycat for letting me know that but now I'm obviously confused. Others have stated that my engine contains a ball bearing but it looks like your response might be the correct one, and it might explain why the engine diagram I found on line for my engine shows a ball bearing in the picture, (shown as P/N 23) but does not list that bearing part number in the parts listing as you'll see in the attached pictures. The pictures I've attached will shed some light on my reply. The 1st picture shows the data plate on my engine which clearly shows that my engine is a model HSSK50, 67404S. The 2nd picture shows the parts diagram, and the 3rd picture shows the parts list that goes with that diagram. I found all of that online for my engine and while the parts picture clearly shows the model number in the upper left corner that it's the correct one for my engine and shows a bearing, listed as Part No. 23, you'll also notice that in the 3rd picture, (the parts list), that there is no number 23 listed which I'm guessing could be their way of saying that that particular engine does not contain a ball bearing. Now I wish there were a third way of me settling that question for sure, though I'm leaning on agreeing with your answer because of the absense of a part number 23 in the parts listing. All I have to do to see if there is wear in the bearing area of the sump cover is to release the tension on the belts and see if the crankshaft moves up and down freely. To settle the question of the oil leak, I'll remove the belt cover and tip the blower up again and watch to see where the oil is leaking from which hopefuly should be obvious. I've already looked into the correct oil capacity and it's 21 oz., (2.625 cups) of 5W-30. Thanks again for your input.