update4: Problem may be solved!!

Hey all: I think the rings are sealing up. I drove it 30 miles and only used 1/2 quart. (as opposed to 1 qt). Drove another 30 miles and it used 1/4 quart. At this rate they should be sealed in no time. (I check the oil after it sits overnight to get an accurate usage). I still have the electric pump hooked up and guess I can eliminate the mechanical one as ever being a problem. Just wanted to hopefully pass on some good news on this problem. Do I need to delete the other threads, or do they automatically expire? Thanks again all!! Merry Christmas

You don't need to delete your other posts. On the contrary, you should leave them up so others can use them for reference.

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Originally posted by tts
Hey all: I think the rings are sealing up. I drove it 30 miles and only used 1/2 quart. (as opposed to 1 qt). Drove another 30 miles and it used 1/4 quart. At this rate they should be sealed in no time. (I check the oil after it sits overnight to get an accurate usage). I still have the electric pump hooked up and guess I can eliminate the mechanical one as ever being a problem. Just wanted to hopefully pass on some good news on this problem. Do I need to delete the other threads, or do they automatically expire? Thanks again all!! Merry Christmas

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Is rings the problem? I have never had a motor use oil like that breaking in. Grease or no grease, that much oil shouldn't get used. Don't tell nobody but back in high school I rebuilt the motor in a '71 pick-up using worn out rings from a motor that was .030 over and file fitted em, knurled the stock pistons and the valve guides in a pair of 462's and polished a crank with emery cloth. I built a complete junkyard motor (and truck) using only new gaskets. Here's the bad part though.....I used moly lube in the cylinders (DON'T LAUGH, I WAS 15) and it didn't burn oil like that even though it smoked pretty good for about a week. Makes me wonder where your oil is coming from:confused:

Have you tried doing a compression check in the last few days?

Hey all: Good idea, I'll leave the threads alone.
CamaroFever: I would never laugh at that. I did my fair share of things learning mechanics. Most people don't feel it's the grease, but like in your example, maybe the grease is just delaying the rings to seal. I hooked up the mechanical fuel pump today and went on my 30 mile trip. It used between 1/4-1/2 qt. This would seem I can eliminate the pump. Kinda wierd how it got better when I put the electric pump on. Probably just a coinsidence. I'll know for sure on the pump if my oil consumption gets worse. With the pump out of the picture for now, I have eliminated everything possible, except the rings not sealing up right, to which I'll obviously find out by driving it more if it gets any better or not. Including you all, I've had some 30 people help me analyze this problem. I'm still beside myself on this one. In all logical thinking, if all things were done right on machining and assembly, to which we feel it is, then the thing shouldn't be using oil like this. (I can live with a little lose on break in).
Erik: Yes- still averages 152 all cylinders, leak down 10% all cylinders. The only thing you can't test for is oil rings working correctly. But how could they be bad on a new motor, two different sets? (confirmed correct set for motor, side clearance and gaps ok). That's why I mentioned the drain back holes. I can't be the only one with this brand and type of pistons. If the drain back holes were inadequate, people would be complaining about something like that, so I can assume that's not my problem for now. As others on here have stated and I agree with is the excessive blow by and the smoke out the pipes shows rings being the problem, to which is the last thing on my list of possibilities as the problem. (remember, 2 machinists and 4 mechanics have seen the motor in person, and confirmed she's ready to go together!) Never used grease, then used it twice and have the same problem twice. Seems logical that's my problem. If not, I have a rare, unusual problem and would love to figure this one out, like you all would too. I'll keep ya all posted. Thanks

tts, Didn't you say you used the same intake manifold both times - the one with the missing shield screws in the bottom?

You indicated you had oil inside the intake mainifold plenums and under the carburator - how would bad or unseated rings cause this? Do you have a crankcase breather plumbed to the air cleaner, or a PCV Valve - I think you said no? How else would oil get inside the intake?

Hi Maincap: Yes we used the same intake. No pcv or hoses to air cleaner. Can't explain oil in the intake. I don't think the rings have anything to do with it. I'm assuming by my pressure test and good vaccum that the intake isn't the problem. I'm going to drive it some more and see what happens. I'll pull the carb soon and see if oil is still hanging around, and will consider pulling the intake if oil consumption doesn't get any better by driving it. I'll keep ya posted

Hey all: I do think the rings are sealing up and must be the cause of the problem. The oil consumption is slowing down. First 55 miles of second rebuild used 1 1/2 qts of oil. (wow!). Next two times at 30 miles it used 1 qt. (why I'm doing 30 mile trips for the moment). 4th time, 1/2 qt. 5th time, 1/4 qt. 6th time, pinch over 1/4 qt. 7th time, pinch under 1/4 qt. This shows me it must be the rings. Obviously a fuel pump or a hole in the intake can't fix themselfs if they were a problem. Although debatable, maybe the grease did glaze the cylinders. You know how cars and engines have a "character" about them. Maybe this motor didn't like the grease and it let me know. Oh by the way, the first rebuild still used 1qt per 80 miles with 550 miles total. On this rebuild, at 235 miles, it is doing better than the first time by far. As mentioned in another thread, on this rebuild I used the sea foam down the carb in an attempt to clean the grease off the cylinders. At about 1/2 the milage of the first rebuild, it is consuming less oil this time, or I should say it is recovering faster this time than the first on oil consumption. The bon ami the first rebuild probably didn't work for us for it probable mixed with the grease making it ineffective if that trick really works. (children don't try this at home). Anyway I'll keep cruising. The smoke out the exhaust too is alot less too. Later