Need some opinions on where to go from here...

Been a while since I posted a reply in here to this, and just wanted to update on what actually happened, and where I am most likely going from here.

Got the car running a few weeks ago- tons of smoke out the exhaust, and missing on cylinders 2, 4, and 3. Checked over a few things like wires and plugs to make sure everything was in the right spot, and still no difference...Car ran like a bag of ****, and this time, I just so happened to have cardboard under the car (gravel driveway) and there was black all over it, which appeared to be oil. Car also seemed to be running PIG rich, obviously would not idle with missing on those 3 cylinders (a temperature gun on each header tube revealed this). The oil out the exhaust had me concerned, but I thought I would try one more thing, so I pulled all the plugs, cleaned them good, and put on another carburetor (a known good running carb)...This time, cylinder 3 started firing, but 2 and 4 were still dead, and the oil coming out the exhaust was worse. Didn't really try much more then that.

I picked up a running 5.9 magnum the other day for a great deal. I also thought I would pull the headers to see which cylinders seem to have the issue with oil, and maybe inspect those valve seals in particular...Then I got thinking, I mine as well pull the entire top end to check over all the valves and seals and also finish enlarging some of the pushrod holes that were tight.

I am going to conclude that my bottom end is okay based on the leak downs and compressions tests that I did, and truly hope my issue is in the top end, can get fixed, and I have a running car. But if that fails, I will use the Magnum engine I just picked up and work with that. This car was supposed to be a milder cruiser street/strip deal to take the family out to car shows, ice cream, etc. so I want it running and well.

Thanks to all for the insight, tips, and advice! Truly hoping I pull the heads, find something super obvious, and its an easy fix that addresses everything!