well my 182k mile motor finally bit the bullet. i just stripped the motor down and to my confusion everything looked fine... block, rings,head gasket, valves. does anyone know why i could have gotten oil in my exhaust? im stumped..

 

IN your exhaust?
first thing I can think of is valve seals...but I am far from an expert, and you said valves looked ok
then I would think rings, and you said they look ok too...so I am pretty much of no help at all I guess

 

should have done a cyl. leakdown before you took it apart. could be a guide or a oil ring etc.

everything can look perfect but you can't see if a cyl. is tapered or out of round a few thou.

everything needs to be measured/inspected......I would pull the heads apart and check everything also.