I have an modded 84 that has FINALLY begun to smoke a little bit. The reason I say FINALLY is because I've been waiting 2 yrs for it to smoke because it has 175,000 on the engine. Not to say that I'm excited, I was just prepared. Anyway, to ask my question, which additive (STP Oil Treatment,Marvel Mystery Oil etc.) is the best for REDUCING the smoke. I know there is no cure all that comes in a bottle, but I would like something that would at least help. Thanks in advance.

Jarod

 

Dont use any of them.

 

I've been doing some research on the net this past hour and they seem to agree with you. What other things can I do besides anything major?

 

You can use 90W gear grease in the crankcase, but it'll be hard to start in cold weather.

 

do a leak-down test, it may be mostly from the head's
the test will tell you how well the thing is sealing... is the smoke at start up, under power, or when you back-off????

 

Save your money for rebuild

 

They're all snake oil.

 

i have ( flaming start) had luck with Restore but the engins had real issue's... my clean-out may be helping the Restore to work

 

The smoke is heavy at start-up, but nearly nothing during normal running. The smell is a HEAVY fuel smell and the smoke itself is white\REAL LIGHT blue.

 

Don't laugh...but I had a 49 Chevy that I DID have to use 90W
in....

But in my 85 with 167K on the clock, I always add a can of RESTORE at every oil change....I think it makes a difference. And thats what counts I guess.

 

Now THERE'S an engine in trouble! Blue smoke at start up is usually valve stem seals and/or guides. Only fuel smells like fuel. And white smoke (really steam) is water. I'd be getting SOMETHING on order, while this one is still running.

Comp,
Go ahead and laugh! I've DONE it.

RACE ON!!!

 

No such thing as magic in a bottle... save for a rebuild.

 

I agree, but RESTORE comes the closest. I have used it in two instances and in both cases adding a can of RESTORE stopped the smoking.
Be sure to warm the can of RESTORE up a bit and shake it thoroughly before you add it.
Flame all anyone wants, but in my personal experience, RESTORE has worked. Can't hurt, now can it?

Larry

 

SBC's are notorious for bad valve seals, because GM used Nitril rubber which Hardens with age and temperature. The best valve seal materials are viton and teflon. Chances are that with 175,000 on the clock, the valve guides may also be worn out. If they are, putting new seals in will not help for long. However, Changing valve seals is relatively cheap and lacking any other oil control problems , might be worth a try. If you can feel loose play in the valve stem , with the spring off, then changeing the seals is a very temporary fix. Incidentally, If and when you do rebuild, Changing rocker arm to roller-TIP rockers will greatly extend valve guide life , because it reduces the side loading on the valve stem. Mind you I said roller -tip , not full roller rockers because IMOP full rollers are not suitable for longevity in a daily driver.

 

CFI iv'e used 50w but not 90

 

Ok, I know this sounds too good to be true but I think there is a bit of a miracle in a bottle. Of course there is nothing better than a rebuild or a new engine but I have a buddy who owns a shop here in VA Beach. I had a 1991 Mazda Protege with 150,000 miles and it started to smoke. I dumped in a bottle of that anti-smoke crap you can buy at wal-mart and that cut the smoking down. I drove it another 20,000 miles. Finally, even the anti-smoke crap didn't do the trick anymore. I took it to him to rebuild the motor and of course he said it wasn't worth it. He changed the oil, dumped in 3/4 of a quart of Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer, and that car never smoked one bit again. I drove it to 190,000 miles before I finally got rid of it when I purchased my corvette and it was still going strong. I put 1/2 quart in every car I own now including my Corvette. The stuff doesn't gum anything up. It's just really slippery stuff that by some miracle keeps a thin film on internal engine parts and even helps to prevent wear and tear during start ups. My buddy swears by it and so do I. He has been a mechanic for over 25 years now. Someone will probably argue this fact but they will never convince me any different cause I've seen it. A full bottle of that gummy anti-smoke crap with 50 weight oil and it still smoked. 1/2-3/4 quart of Lucas oil stabilizer and that worn out engine ran like a champ. I would give it a try if I were you, it has really worked great for me.

 

Iwas thinking of adding some Lucas to my Honda with 280,000 plus on the ticker.

 

Between Lucas and a honda engine you will probably go another 280,000

 

Sounds like a combination of bad valve seals and poor combustion.

Don't use any of that s**t in your motor unless it's junk to begin with. I used "RESTORE" in my 85 ford ltd, but it has 175,000 miles on it, and is worth about $500. Also has 55 lbs of compression on 2 cylinders. I haven't checked it since, but it still runs like azz.

 

Would guys believe me if I told you my Vette was running 14.50 @ 94 mph when I got it..

I added a bottle of "Liquid Tune up" & got it to run 13.xx Then I added some Super Top End Cleaner, & Spark Plug Revitalizer, & was running 12,6x @ 105

I RAN back to CarQuest & said "Gimmie a bottle of EVERYTHING you have" Starting with "Marvel Mystery Oil" & I'll be damned my car ran 12.2 @ 110

Can you guys imagine what I'd run if I worked on the motor !!!

PS Ralph Taught me All These Tricks