On a 69 Chevelle with a 454 4 speed I have oil and a greasy mess in my Radiator and it appears the coolant level is low. However I see no signs of water in the oil. I pulled the valve covers and it seems normal. I checked the dipstick and it seems normal. Would it be more likely that this is a bad intake gasket or a blown head gasket?

I was also getting an very dark oily liquid out of the PCV line that was covering the back of my carb which made me start looking for problems. Could this be related?

I also found a severely chipped rocker arm ball. Luckily I found the peices of the metal under the valve cover. Would this be a sign of other valve problems or is it likely a faulty part?

First remove the radiator and have it cleaned at a shop. ONLY way to get all the oil out of it. The oil residue will prevent proper cooling. If you have access to a pressure pump, you might pump it up and find the source of the problem before removing radiator. The PCV circuit is completely isolated from the cooling system so its probably not related. Sounds more like there is no baffle for the valve in the valve cover. That will cause the valve to pull oil up to the vacuum source. With nothing in the valve covers and or on the dipstick, I'd do the pressure test then have the raditor cleaned. Might want to check the hoses too, oil will soften them and they will fail. Don't forget the heater hoses. As for the rocker ball, if the pushrod is not bent, I'd replace the rocker and ball. Then a good engine flush and new oil and filter.

Thank you for the reply. It has been difficult for me to determine the cause of these problems.

I have never used the pressure tester for the cooling system, where can you get one and how does it work? I just performed a compression test and had 180 PSI of compression without exception, which leads me away from the head gasket and toward the intake gasket.

I do have a baffle in the valve cover and really I am not seeing excessive oil around the PCV valve that would indicate this type of condition.

The radiator shop that will clean yours will have the tester. You just remove the radiator cap, make sure the system is FULL, twist on the tester's hose and pump it up to 18-20 lbs or so and watch the gauge. It shouldn't drop. If its dropping start looking around and listening for the hiss. You may also be able to rent one at one of the "box" auto parts houses.

Common blowby (Worn rings/cylenders/pistons) can cause the oil in the pcv system to be sucked in the base of the carb where the hose hooks which will cause just what your describing.

Also,i have found that when ANTI RUST/WATER PUMP LUBE (esp too much) is uesd in the radiator it leaves an oily substance like your seeing so hopefully thats whats going on there.

Scott