I went for about a 200 mile drive before coming to work. Before I left i checked all the fluids. Got home ... parked it. Next morning checked under the truck, no leaks at all. Pulled the stick and it was about 2 qts shy. Did not notice any smoke while driving (except at take off from a dead stop). Wife checked it (been in the garage for a week) dry as a bone under the truck. She started the truck up and ran it for about 5 mins. She said she didn't see any smoke at all.
I get home in a few days and will do a compression check. Just prepping myself for a possible rebuild if needed (suspect it might need rings, but if you going to go that far might as well freshen up the whole motor).
Not as familiar with these 223's and good sources for parts. I can find parts for my 200 and 289's in the Stangs all day.
I'm in Baton Rouge. I found a few shops that I'm going to talk too. There is also a very good shop about an hour away from me that I have used on other builds.