I found this. 40 things that increase oil consumption
http://www.smartsynthetics.com/motor...onsumption.htm
I am leaning toward increased main bearing, connecting rod clearance and valve stem sealing as well as sticking pistion rings.
3. Worn or Damaged Main Bearings
Worn or damaged main bearings throw off an excessive amount of oil which flows along the crankshaft and is thrown up into the cylinders. The amount of oil throws off increases rapidly when bearing wear increases. For instance, if the bearing is designed to have .0015” clearance for proper lubrication and cooling, the throw off of oil will be normal as long as this clearance is maintained and the bearing is not damaged in any way. However, when the bearing clearance increases to .003”, the throw off will be five times normal. If the clearance is increased to .006”, the throw off will be twenty-five times normal. When the main bearings throw off too much oil, the cylinders are usually flooded with more oil than can be controlled by the pistons and rings.
In a conventional, full-pressure lubricated engine a large loss of oil at the main bearings may starve the downstream connecting rod bearings of lubrication to such an extent that sometimes, especially at low speeds; insufficient oil may be thrown on the cylinder walls. This will cause the pistons and rings to wear to such an extent that they will not be able to control the oil at high speeds. The effect of main bearing wear will be high oil consumption.
4. Worn or Damaged Connecting Rod Bearings
Clearances on connecting rod bearings affect the throw off of oil in the same proportions as mentioned for main bearings. In addition to this, the oil is thrown more directly into the cylinders. Worn or damaged connecting rod bearings flood the cylinders with such a large volume of oil that the pistons and rings, which are designed to control a normal amount of oil or a reasonable increase in the normal amount, are overloaded to such an extent that some oil escapes past them to the combustion chamber and causes high oil consumption.
CAUTION – Insufficient bearing clearance can also produce piston, ring and cylinder damage as well as damage to the bearing itself.
17. Clogged Oil Passages
After an engine has had long, hard service the oil passages in piston rings and pistons will likely become clogged from carbon or an accumulation of foreign matter in the oil. The passages are designed for carrying oil – in excess of the amount needed for lubricating the cylinders – back to the crankcase. When the passages become clogged, oil may be trapped in areas reducing the indicated level of oil within the engine. It may also pool in areas such as above the valve guides, which can further promote consumption.
Clogged passages in rifle drilled rods or any clogged oil line will starve the engine of lubrication, promote wear and lead to high oil consumption. To avoid clogging of oil passages, the same precaution should be taken as recommended in #28. Initial side clearance is not applicable in this case.
21. Dirty Oil
Failure to change the oil at proper intervals or to take proper care of the oil filter may cause the oil to be so dirty that it will promote clogging of the oil passages in the piston rings and pistons. This will increase the oil consumption as described in #17. Dirty oil will also increase the rate of wear on bearings, cylinders, pistons, and piston rings. All of these worn parts, as explained in individual items on each part, will contribute to a further waste of oil.
Note: as a rule, dirt oil by nature is also consumed at a higher rate than cleaner oil.
I can't do much about engine wear at this point so I think I will try and treat the sticking rings. I think I will try the sludge out and ring free again in my engine and change the oil more often.
Thanks
John