Head Gasket

Not sure I fully understand your query.... Rings aren't making it pass water, for sure. You've already described a motor in need of a top end rebuild.... you'll likely see any evidence of problems when you pull the heads, if you look closely. If reusing the same heads, have your machinist take a slight cut, which will also show problems as it fixes them (if you watch the cut). Check the intake fit carefully as going back together and you are home free. If it still spits a little water after all that warming up, it is the exhaust. Unfortunately, just saying it has duals does not speak volumes..... some mufflers hold moisture more than others, but they all lose them as they warm up. HTH, Lefty71
Yeah it passes water, only on the left bank though. that's what's got me confused, if it was both tailpipes, I would not think twice about it. there is no crossover pipe, so I know it's the left bank specificially that's behaving differently than the right, which makes me think it has to be something in that head or intake, and not general ring condition. I may as well have the heads rebuilt when I pull them, shouldn't be more than a few hundy.