rumbler: your right, it could be something really, really simple.
corvette: we're going to go ahead and check the top side for the
motor again including the valve seals. can't thank all of you enough for trying to analize this problem. I may be away from the site for a bit to analize, and if need be tear down, but I'll keep ya all posted on what the problem is. Again, you have a great thing going here. thanks again!