hi camaro fever68: Thanks for the input. Hastings ring co. on their web site had a guy tearing his motor apart looking for an oil loss problem. (the car didn't smoke much if any). They claimed to have changed the fuel pump and the problem was fixed. The fuel pump is the only thing I haven't tried yet. We're 99% sure we have eliminated everything that seems logical.

Erik: I'm confused. The book(s) state .011. How would .010 be too tight? Please realize I understand if it is too tight, the spray of oil will be greater. (too loose and the spray would be less, too tight and the spray would be more. (like a garden hose with no nosel-less spray, with a nosel-more spray).