Is this smoke because I haven't seated the rings or finished the engine break in? Is possible that it is oil blow-by because of the same? The oil looks fine, just like when I filled it up.

I broke the cam in this past weekend in accordance with the directions here: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/suinst.html
After taking the engine to operating temperature we ran it at 2000-2100 rpm for 30 minutes. The first try went for 3 minutes before I realized the valve covers weren't tightened and oil started seeping out. The second attempt went the full 30 minutes.

The engine was professionally rebuilt with all new internals except the crank. The valve train was changed to except unleaded gas. The cylinders were bored .030 over. New pistons. It has a mild cam from comp cams. Then engine was blueprinted. The exhaust is new, the exhaust manifolds were painted with cast blast high temp. The carb was rebuilt by Lars. I set the distributor up in accordance with Lars' papers on timing. The engine started right up. The engine was rebuilt about a year before we fired it. I fogged it with marine fogger every month or two, and turned the engine over more than two complete rotations each time. The oil in the engine is Rotella T heavy duty SAE 15w-40 as directed by my engine builder (for the zinc additive). I primed the engine properly.

The exhaust is just fitted together and is not clamped down...so some moisture can be getting into the exhaust system. It was about 40 degrees and moderate humidity during the runs...at sea level. The only vacuum hooked up is the vacuum advance. The PCV valve is the old one and has not been replaced...yet.

The following videos were taken before, during, and after the cam break. There is some white/blueish smoke shortly after start up. Originally it came out the drivers side exhaust, and after a few minutes changed to the passenger side exhaust. This can be easily seen in some of the videos. Pictures can be seen at:
http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/djgulano/

Following the break in we set the timing and dwell. It was almost dead on. We had to adjust the dwell +2 degrees, and retard the timing 2 degrees.

Video 1 is before the cam break in when the engine got up to operating temperature. If you look closely you can see some smoke coming from the drivers side exhaust.


Video 2 shows the same thing from a little different angle.


Video 3 is during the cam break in about 20 minutes into it. The first 20 seconds is all that is really relevant.


Video 4 was taken after the timing and dwell were set. During the video the light smoke switched from driver side to passenger side, but you really can't see it out of the driver side.


Video 5 was an extension of Video 4. We blipped the throttle to about 1000 rpm. With each blip you can see the smoke come out.



I have never used photobucket before, so hopefully it works.

 

I think that is moisture that has built up in the exhaust burning out. Looks like it had been very damp outside and the car is just burning the condensation out of the exhaust. I personally would not worry about it.

BTW, I love how you have everything setup. Very nice work. That is a lot of monitoring equipment set up. I would say keep on plugging at it. Hopefully someone else will chime in and offer more help. I think you are good to go.

 

looks like moisture to me too.

 

Everything looks fine to me, it's a new motor don't worry about it. I wouldn't run it anymore until you can seat the rings properly

 

Did you not expect to see water vapor out the tail pipe on a 40 degree day?

I doubt that there is anything wrong with the engine, break it in before you have a panic attack. And do a compression test on all of the cylinders and report back with the numbers.

 

It's fine.

 

I would suggest that what you are seeing is condensation. I checked the temps for Fairfax yesterday and they were 45*F (high) and 19*F (low), certainly cold enough for condensation to occur.

On movement from driver's side to passenger side that may be simply the heat riser valve working. On cold start-up the valve (passenger side) is closed and directs exhaust from the right side through the intake cross-over passage to the leftside. Hence flow on that side only. This promotes quick warm-up of the carb. With time and heat the valve will open via a heat-sensitive spring and exhaust will flow on the right side. Thus the condensation will start to show on both sides. (One of your videos seems to show that the valve IS in place.)

The pic shows my car at 28*F in October. Condensation is showing on both sides because my heat riser valve is welded open. I really do not need it for warmup as generally I do not drive below 55*F.

 

It didn't look like it was 100% water vapor...there was a bluish tint to the exhaust which indicates oil vapor. The heat riser valve on the right side exhaust header will "direct" the exhaust gas until the engine warms up (if it is working correctly). You may want to wire it "open" to take that out of the investigation. It could just be a need to break it in longer; or it could be a ring seating problem. Time will tell.

 

I don't know if I agree with this. Oil smoke will hang in the air where water vapor dissipates quickly as it is doing in the video. Of course the smell tells a tale too. Burning oil or antifreeze have distinct smells. Too much fuel will also have a pungent smell that will stick to your clothes. By the look of your video, it sure looks like moisture to me.

 

Hold some white paper towel near the exhaust tips and see what is coming out by sight/colour and smell.

 

Thanks guys.
I put paper towels behind the exhaust before the timing was set and there were some black specs and it smelled like fuel.
I thought it might be the condensation, but Even after the cam break, the car had been running for about 35-40 minutes I would think that the condensation would no longer be an issue.

The last video concerned me, when I reved the engine and more smoke came out. I think if there is any oil, it is pry because the rings aren't seated yet. Once I get the body on I will follow the remainder of the break in. Thanks for the responses.

 

I would say your engine is just fine. Relax.