I agree that it is probably burning oil when I am not seeing significant smoke but even at today's oil prices it is cheap compared to all the gaskets, rings, etc. required to rehone the cylinders (not that I won't do it over the winter).
I purchased a cheap leak down tester and after I was able to get it working (I think) I measured leak down at 15-20% cold (I know hot is better but much harder for me to accomplish). Inlet pressure was only 28-29 psi for this tester so not the 50 or 100 psi I have seen referenced but don't know if that affects the results. The output gage is marked in percent leakdown with my readings in the green (okay) region.
The plugs vary a fair amount in color/deposits. I tried to take pictures from 2 opposite angles but its hard to see anything meaningful in them. Number 8 is very clean, almost too white whereas some of them show more significant deposits. Leakdown on #8 was no different than the others.
I plan to remove at least one of the intake valve springs to get a better picture of what I have for valve stem seals. I doubt that the stem seals are the majority of the issue but I want to refresh my memory about what I did when I assembled the heads. HRL thanks for the link to the tool required and the procedure to secure the valve.
