I have a small leak at the bottom of where the exhuast


first meets with the engine. Will this cause any serious issues as far as over heating, or noticable power loss ? Just ordered replaced parts but am wondering if it's caused some of my headache

 

Doubt if you have a leak there, and apart from a tendency to backfire, which could damage the silencer, no problems if it had a leak there. Far more likely the valve cover on the exhaust side has a leak. Check valve clearances when you take the cover off, and fit a new seal to the cover. If it was leaking from the exhaust, oil would indicate the engine is using oil as it isn't supposed to get into the cylinder, and any that does should burn, so it takes a lot of oil to start leaking from the manifold gasket.