First startup from long storage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
First startup from long storage
Well I finally was able to get some work done on my 73 coupe. It’s been in storage for about 10 years. So I found out the gas tank was beyond cleaning so installed a new one replaced all the rubber gas housing. Drained and replaced oil. Replaced the carburetor the old one was frozen up with varnish. New plugs. So here’s the question. She started up fine but boy does she smoke badly. Normal or is something really bad with the engine. Like warped heads or does it just have to run awhile to seat the rings back in.
thanks
scott
thanks
scott
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 12
From: Magnolia DE
Scott,
What oil did you use ?? I had a similar issue with a '77. Initial oil change I used a blend, it used a quart, so I added a quart of synthetic.
Smoked. I changed back to good 'ol Dino 10W40. Cleared it right up.
John
What oil did you use ?? I had a similar issue with a '77. Initial oil change I used a blend, it used a quart, so I added a quart of synthetic.
Smoked. I changed back to good 'ol Dino 10W40. Cleared it right up.
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
I am not a snake oil type of repair guy, but add some Marvel Mystery Oil to the crankcase to see if it helps. I also think the valve seals may need to be replaced. Is it blue or black or white smoke? Is the smoke coming from both exhaust pipes? Dis it smoke the last time it ran 10 years ago? Jerry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 904
Likes: 569
From: Central NJ
There are a couple of stickys at the top of the tech section dealing with oil, If your engine is stock they you have flat tappet lifters and you need to be running oil high in ZDDP(zinc). I don't know about your fram product but if it's not on that list then stop using it... As far as the smoke goes, some people people put a tiny squirt of MMO in each cylinder to free up stuck rings, not much and id spin it over with the plugs out and then let it sit before starting... It will smoke alot until it burns off so give it awhile to work...
60
60
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Everyone's pointing fingers at oil smoking except Rick & Jerry. Maybe it's not oil.
Tens yrs is a long time. Maybe you or someone else put ATF or Fogging Oil in the sparkplug holes.
Or, this could be coolant smoke entering the cylinder from a failed Intake Manifold gasket. Who knows?
If you disconnect the main vacuum line off the back of the carb and plug that port, that will eliminate tranny fluid, valve-stem seals / PVC from the possibilities.
You may or may not loose Vac Adv, so be prepared to work the throttle.
Tens yrs is a long time. Maybe you or someone else put ATF or Fogging Oil in the sparkplug holes.
Or, this could be coolant smoke entering the cylinder from a failed Intake Manifold gasket. Who knows?
If you disconnect the main vacuum line off the back of the carb and plug that port, that will eliminate tranny fluid, valve-stem seals / PVC from the possibilities.
You may or may not loose Vac Adv, so be prepared to work the throttle.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
Thanks everyone for the advice. The smoke is more white then blue. Not original engine but was told it was a high performance engine. But it looks like it has a bluish tint to the smoke. Second question if it turns out to be value seals. Should I remove heads or replace seal with heads on engine.
thanks
scott
thanks
scott
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
I agree....run it for 15-20 minutes.....get some heat in it......oil in the combustion chamber, ports, etc....takes a long *** time to burn all away......
What color is the smoke?
Jebby
What color is the smoke?
Jebby
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 26
From: Blue ridge Georgia
Oh also when I changed the oil I put close to 6 quarts of oil and it still did not reach the oil stick. So either it’s going to the wrong place or someone put a deep oil pan on it. Before I get roasted on line yes I put the oil in the right hole. Lol
scott
scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Why make more work for yourself? Intake removal, exhaust, distributor, head gaskets, setting valve-lash, drain coolant and so on.
Summit sells a valve spring cam-over compressor. Makes stem seal swaps a whole lot easier.
Number one thing about this job is to never let a valve drop down in the cylinder.
I have used the compressed air hose to hold the valves up. I have used the soft rope method. Either one will work. Both methods require piston at TDC regardless.
I had better luck with the rope in the cylinder. Because for one thing, the crank will try to move with 80 -90 lbs of air pressure.
And secondly, my air hose sparkplug adaptor only fits in a few cylinders because of header interference.
If you do end up going this route, lay some blankets around the cyl head. Those valve stem keepers enjoy flying to unknown places. Before you compress the spring, give it a quick rap with a plastic or rubber mallet.
It's not a bad job, just takes time. And do adjacent valves one at a time of course. Lube the valve stem before inserting the seal. After the spring keepers are in place and the tool is removed, give the valve tip another whack to verify the split locks are truly locked in > > > > Next cyl.
Summit sells a valve spring cam-over compressor. Makes stem seal swaps a whole lot easier.
Number one thing about this job is to never let a valve drop down in the cylinder.
I have used the compressed air hose to hold the valves up. I have used the soft rope method. Either one will work. Both methods require piston at TDC regardless.
I had better luck with the rope in the cylinder. Because for one thing, the crank will try to move with 80 -90 lbs of air pressure.
And secondly, my air hose sparkplug adaptor only fits in a few cylinders because of header interference.
If you do end up going this route, lay some blankets around the cyl head. Those valve stem keepers enjoy flying to unknown places. Before you compress the spring, give it a quick rap with a plastic or rubber mallet.
It's not a bad job, just takes time. And do adjacent valves one at a time of course. Lube the valve stem before inserting the seal. After the spring keepers are in place and the tool is removed, give the valve tip another whack to verify the split locks are truly locked in > > > > Next cyl.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Nov 9, 2023 at 09:03 AM.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
You most likely have the wrong dipstick....but you also need to verify what pan you have and drain out at least one quart.......
Jebby
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Years ago I had a one ton dually truck with a 454.
One day it started blowing a lot of whiteish smoke from the exhaust.
I took it to Chevy and they replaced the head gaskets for $900.00.
It still smoked on the drive home.
When I backed up into my driveway the transmission slipped slightly.
I checked the fluid and it was low and thought it was strange because I always checked everything under the hood.
I called Chevy and they said to replace the vacuum module on the transmission.
I did, it took me about ten minutes, it stopped the smoking, and was about a $3.00 part.
One day it started blowing a lot of whiteish smoke from the exhaust.
I took it to Chevy and they replaced the head gaskets for $900.00.
It still smoked on the drive home.
When I backed up into my driveway the transmission slipped slightly.
I checked the fluid and it was low and thought it was strange because I always checked everything under the hood.
I called Chevy and they said to replace the vacuum module on the transmission.
I did, it took me about ten minutes, it stopped the smoking, and was about a $3.00 part.