I will try to answer some of the questions and I will ask the builder about the other points that were raised.
The engine was resleaved because it was leaking anti freeze, I believe from between the block and cylinders.
It would have to be assumed that the cylinders were properly honed since Dove put the engine together the last time. They are the ones that used the gapless rings.
The engine has a rather large aluminium
oil pan, I don't know which make or model but I will find out.
I will also get details on the ventilation, the
oil pressure, and rod side clearance.
The engine builder is very experienced with street engines, drag engines, and dirt modified engines. He primarily builds small block Fords but also does BB Fords, BB & SB Chevs, and Mopars as well as various other engines. I opened this thread since I was talking to him about the Dove engine which was in his shop and he was telling me that he was at his wit's end trying to figure out what was wrong with this engine. He said that he cannot see why this engine was using so much
oil. His theory is that the rings are to blame since everthing else appears to be in good order. He was wondering if there was some sort of "FE" or "Dove" quirk involved that he wasn't aware of. He has built quite a few FEs over the years and has never run into this problem before. Note: Dove built the engine, not him but now the engine owner has come to him to fix the oil consumption problem.
He told me that he is not going to use gapless rings when he puts it back together.
Thanks to everyone for the help.
Wayne