A question that I am not sure how to even ask...

ok on the pics. that plug was for cleaning out during the casting process.

On drain Back... the oil returns are a ~1/4" hole between each lifter pair AND a hole going to the timing set.

What i would do. pull the drain plug and with the cover off put equal amoutn of 1 qt of cheap ATF in each of the lifter area's (you'll see how the block is divided. watch and see how they drain, should be right now and you should see it coming out of the pan. if it drains into the pan and out then you put the oil into the wrong hole.

now, if the ATF doesn't drain then get the wire coat hanger out and clean out all the holes and then let the ATF sit over night and drain it. then pour 4.5 qts of oil with the cover off (verify drain to the pan) and then a half qt of ATF. check the stick, if you have a oil line great, if its on the mark better! if not get a longer stick (chevy SB work great and are long enough to cut down).

let us know!