Chevy 235 Running like a Tractor

Funny you said "running like a tractor". My wife always refers to my flathead ford v8 as a "tractor engine", do to the sound at idle. She really laughed it up when we saw a Ford 8n tractor that had a flathead v8 in it.
Matt

 

Oil has collected everywhere including firewall, around valve cover and around headgasket. Il do another test with the oil in the cylinder to see what i get. Thanks

 

Give each spark plug hole a few healthy shots from an oil squirt can. Do the test with all plugs out, coil wire disconnected and the throttle plate wide open.

It does sound like classic blow-by from what you have observed. I bought an old and tired '65 Chevy truck that used about 3 quarts in 20 miles, oil out everywhere, lol.

It came with this piece of old bedspread all folded up neatly fitted between the hood and cowl... I said WTF and ripped that oily piece of shit out and threw it away. I found out what it did the next time I drove it in the rain.

Bob

 

Old worn 235's blowing oil out the breather from blow by is what it is,a worn engine.But do check the road draft tube to blockage,they get plugged from sludge.
Had a similar situation on a 235,oil smoke on acceleration , engine that ran ok and had compression readings like yours.Did all 12 valves with umbrella seals using the compressed air in cylinder trick.Made no difference in the oil smoke.

 

Do you have solid or hydraulic lifters? If you set for solid and you have hydraulic you are way off.

 

Check your valve guide seals, too. If you're getting oil into the chambers it'll foul the plugs, which will then misfire (or not fire hot enough) and cause the backfiring. Just a thought.

EDIT; Oooops My bad! Thought I had just finished reading page 2, but I guess it was page 1. I see you've already got the seals mentioned. Sorry!

 

Spark plugs were munged up with gas and oil, that is why it started running right with new plugs.

Now the oil is probably thinned out and full of gas. Change the oil before you drive it. See if that helps the smoke problem.

30 oil is not necessary. You can use 10W30 or if you prefer something heavier, 15W40 Rotella.

Another compression test would be a good idea too.

 

Not sure if i have solid or hydraulic lifter. Here is the # nest to the Dist F0417JC maybe someone can tell me.

 

That exactly what happened. I changed the spark plugs and did and oil change. It runs on 30PSI of oil pressure all day. The engine is running great and based on what i read so far not sure if i even need to change the seals. The smoking has stopped dramatically and the motor fires right up everytime now. Still have not gotten a chance to do a second compression test with the oil method, maybe later today if time permits. Thanks again for all the input.

 

Finally i got a vacuum gauge to see what i cant find out about this motor. Just need some help to interpret the reading im getting. First off i let the motor warm up to normal temp and then i hooked up the gauge to the manifold. The needle seems to stay in the green area with minor fluctuations around 20HG. When i rev the engine the needle drops to about 5HG then returns immediately when at idle. Is this normal for the 235 motor? Any help appreciated.

 

Had a badly smoking 235; was told about a product called "Restore". I tried it - can't believe it - it worked! Engine smokes very little; lifters and valve lifters quit making noise.

 

how to read a vacuum gauge

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm