I noticed that when I checked my oil level in my 440/496-6 bbl today it smelled like gas. The engine was completely rebuilt and driven until mid December and has only 1100 miles. I replaced the oil with Shell Rotella 10W40 and Lucas break-in treatment, and put about 100 miles on it before parking it in the garage for the winter.

I never ran the engine over the winter, but last week I wanted to go for a spin. I pumped the pedeal several times to get the car to start, which it did. However, while idling during warmup, I could smell gas at the exhaust pipes and figured it just needed to clear out. Drove the car for about 25 miles and parked it back in the garage.

Checked the oil today, and smelled gas--which I never noticed before.
The oil appears thick and does not flow on the dipstick. I have the stock '71 closed crankcase system (PCV valve/3-nipple breather cap with all hoses connected). Just wondering whether this is due to the trapped gas vapor in the closed crankcase system, or something worse...like a leaking fuel pump, etc.