Quote Originally Posted by Merc 006 View Post
I have a '67 Galaxie with a 390 just "refreshed"

I tore it down to a shortblock, cleaned everything, reused intake (Edelbrock Performer 390), rebuilt carb, overall pretty good.

1) My dipstick is WRONG...like full at 3 quarts in the pan...no lifter noise so I'm thinking nothing bad happened, got that all corrected now (5 in the pan, 1 in the filter)

2) I started leaking oil out the back of my intake...checked the bolts...a bit loose, tightened them up, no more leaks.

3) Here's the real problem...after that intake leak was noticed, I realized I lost 1/2 a quart through that (great...), so I topped it off and was fine...ran it for a day...went back and checked, no leaks, but now a 1/4 quart low (bearly on the dipstick). Topped it off again...next day cold start (PAIN) and I blew oil smoke untill I got up to operating temp, then it went away...

My question...what could've caused this? I don't have a vacuum leak and I think if it was an intake gasket it'd be doing all the time, as it rarely does it if I get on it, but just at the beginning. ..any input would be great.
Just a couple thoughts..
1. If that's a stock pan, I think it should be full at 4 in the pan w\1 in the filter. All my FE's were that way...

2. The intake "may" have hurt the gasket when it was loose... it may be drawing in oil from the lifter gallery.. just a guess but may be worth a look see.

3. Go easy on us, when you ask for "any input".... well, you got it!

Hope this helps some.