I have a slight oil drip coming form somewhere under the centre front of the engine but without pulling stuff apart can't quite locate where exactly it is coming from.

Are there any common things that i should be looking for first?

 

OH boy.

Front suspects:
Timing cover seal
Vent cover on the front of the head, oil runs down.
Sump gasket (rare in the big scheme).
The joint between the timing cover and the cylinder head. The seal is the head gasket, BUT, if that cover has been off with the head in place, resealing that gap is a mongrel.

Many more areas for leaks, but NOT at the front that I can remember.

 

Give it a good wash down then take it for a drive. Re-inspect, so much easier than guessing. It seems front crank seals are common.

 

Found 3 so far. Rear of valve cover, front of other valve cover & vent cover. was going to to have another go at it this weekend but it is getting painted instead.

 

mine was a perished 'o' ring in where the oil cooler pipes join into the oil filter block head assembly thingy. cheap part, BI*CH of a thing to get to and change :-)
My leak was more of a dribble than a drip, and it only happened when the engine was running.