The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop LOTS of Oil loss ???

Not to due with the older trucks. But my 454 1985 1T is just loosing oil. It has a major powersteering leak (which works good on preservation) so actual location of oil leak is kind of hard.
I pulled off the valve covers to see if there was oil puddling up in there. No, small drip in rear drivers side cover. Oil pan has a small drip as well. Oil filter is clean, no drips. Other then that. I cannot locate a actual "LEAK" to match the loss of oil.
Truck blows black smoke for a breif second when started cold OR hot. We ran it for about 10 minutes, off about 30 and when we restarted it, was black smoke. But not under a load. (or at least that I can tell going down road)
Tail pipe looks like a fireplace chimmney. It is smutted with black. Not wet, like powder.
Truck has been known to use oil (after all its a 454) but it was sitting since last use (roughly 1 month) and it was bone dry. We only had 3 qts and put it in, filled it up to about 1/2 on the dip stick. We filled it up at the nearest store that carried oil (roughly 20 miles away) We drove it roughly 40 miles (under a load) And back home. Total trip, about 60 miles. Truck was 1 1/2 qt's low. So it is using/burning oil.
Got any ideas? :confused: