I'm surprised at how quickly people start blaming a gasket. Signs of a blown gasket isn't just oil & water mixing, and in some cases a blown head gasket actually INCREASES the oil quantity, not to mention loss of power and fraying, flying hoses. We completely neglect the cylinder head itself absolutly forgetting the fact that OIL CONSUMPTION primarily depends on two things, VALVES (SEALS/GUIDES)/PISTON RINGS. Improper valve guides such as craked, worn, misalighned or altogether missing will send oil into the cylinder. A scenario like this won't weaken compression but your oil consumption will go up significantly. Remember oil consumption in most cases does not mean smoke. Faulty valves usually hint their woes with a plume of smoke on start up or a rough idle. The other one we already know, worn scrapper rings. Furthermore, keep in mind that gradually increasing engine tolerances such as those of the con rods, journals wristpins, usually spalsh oil more than usual on the cylinder walls which the equally aged rings can't clear appropriatly.
Check the main engin oil seal, ther'e usually enclosed in the bell housing and a leak isn't easily detected.
Have the head look at rather than the head gasket!
