By front of the engine, do you mean the end toward the front of the
van?  If so, maybe a failure of the torque converter, which is part of the
automatic transmission.  That would explain the oil, the smoke, and the van
losing power.  But doesn't really explain the lights on the dash and the
engine dying.  Unless the transmission lost its oil and failed in such a
way that it seized and stalled the engine.

Edward

At 12:58 AM 4/17/2006, you wrote:
>today while driving my '89 westy gl automatic on the interstate at 64
>mph...poof...engine dies, smoke comes from the rear, lights come on on the
>dash...pull over immediately.  inspecting the engine compartment we see
>oil  all over
>the front of the engine mostly.   i'd just changed the oil  earlier this week
>with gtx 20-50 and new proper oil filter (mann?).   she was running perfectly
>until the episode.  a  AAA flatbed gets me  home tonight.
>
>    i don't expect a perfect diagnosis, but could anyone help me  understand
>what might have happened and what i can expect will be in the  repairs??   any
>ideas out there wise ones?
>
>thanks in advance
>
>charlie laich
>  lake orion, mi
>'89 westy GL automatic
>(113,000 miles original engine)