DERG:
I(t) seems to me that if oil was slopping around in that T-972 then maybe a few more tins than ususual would have been used. What you do you think?
I honestly do not recall any oil consumption figures, other than it might be comparable to a Continental A-65 in my old Taylorcraft.
The vent system design has a lot to do with overboard oil loss. A good centrifugal air-oil separator (sometimes built right into the main shafts) can make a big difference.
Certainly excess oil consumption can indicate internal problems that need addressing, and not neglected! But do we know for sure the sequence of events in the present case?