Oil Level

[Brass Monkey]

I just changed the oil on my twin 4.3L V-6's. The last oil change was by the mechanics at the complete overhaul of port engine, August. STBD was new in September. Port had 50 hours on 25W-40 oil, STBD had 22 hours on break in oil.

At the time of oil change last week the dipstick (not me... the actual dipstick) showed the oil line at full, prior to me warming up the engines. I have to try several times to get a consistent reading due to oil in the dipstick tube.

I proceeded to take one gallon per engine of oil out, and I replaced it with one gallon in each engine. I ran the engines for 1/2 hour last week, all seems fine.

One week later (today), cold dipstick readings are well above the "full" mark. I tried several attempts to get a similar reading as last week before the oil change, no luck.

Two questions: 1) Is there an explanation for the high reading besides simply being unable to clear the dipstick tube with cold oil?
2) If I have overfilled the engines, is there any harm in running it with excess oil?

Again, I took one gallon out of each engine, and replaced it with exactly the same amount. Engines running fine consistently before and after.

Thanks in advance!