Thank you both for your response.

the reason I am running an electric pump is space. My v-8 is in a fiero and the set up I have would place the water pump in the pssenger rear wheel well. The water pump I am running is a Meizere and I have never had a problem with overheating, even in 100 degree weather in traffic, except when the shop did not properly reconnect the power to the pump earlier this year. I will run out today and get a PCV valve and plumb it to the carb.

As for the rings, I may be pulling the engine this winter to replace the heads with a better flowing set (currently has heads from a mid-eighties monte carlo). I may also be adding a more radical cam because the one that was put in this summer is too mild for me. This time I will do the work myself with some help from friends to make sure it is done right.

The cooked rings could could also explain the little bit of oil I am getting in the exhaust at start up

Thanks again for your responses as they were helpful.

Kelin