Not sure

but the oil on the valves does point to a top end issue even if it's not obvious. I still have to suspect the intake gasket seal - I've seen those pull oil through the bottom with almost no visible damage to the gasket.

I am not a fan of the gapless rings - oil consumption is one common flaw with them - but they should not change once installed and working.

Could you have installed too long a bolt or stud in one of the rocker stand positions and put a crack in the top of a port? Happens pretty easily, and fixed with a piece of teflon tape - only place where the tape works better than the paste.

As to Dale and the diminished top end flow - I think I know the answer to that question - I've run into it before. The top end oil runs alongside one head bolt on the way up from the deck on some heads. If the bolt hole is too tight to one side you get no feed - its an inintended restriction. The normal Fel-Pro 1020 gasket only has an .093 hole to start with...

Barry Rabotnick
Survivalmotorsports.com