fpkelly,

While you are in there with the heads off, see if you can borrow a magnetic base dial indicator.

Check deck height on all pistons when they hit TDC. If 6 or any one of them falls short even by a few .000's, you might have a bent rod.(that's if you discover you have a bent valve from oil ingestion)

If you got the touch for it, you can also check rod bearing clearances this way....But that's another story.

Dealer wants $1667?....Cool, you can pat yourself on the back when this is done.