Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
#349052
06/16/09 03:27 PM
06/16/09 03:27 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
donscuda
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
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I just got back from Hot Rod's Power Tour Sunday, and my '70 Cuda started to use some oil during the trip. Here's a little info on the motor. It's a '74 360 with a .528" lift mechanical cam , 9.5:1 compression, stock heads with some minor work, a M1 single plane intake with a 750 cfm Demon with mechanical secondaries, Mopar Performance electronic ignition with the chrome box, 1 1/2" headers, a 4 speed with a Centerforce II clutch. I also had 3.90 gears in it(I know that was a mistake...) The motor will idle with at least 35 psi of oil pressure, and rise to over 50 psi when being pressed on. The car will still idle with decent oil pressure. We were pushing the motor a little during the tour, but the motor did not smoke out of the exhaust at all, so I don't think it's the rings, I think it might be a problem with the valve seals, or something else in the heads. One other problem that happened was the breather on the valve cover was found off when we checked the oil at one gas stop. The breather fit the grommet tight, could there have been enough pressure in the head to blow the breather off? I really don't have the money to build a new motor for the car at this time because they cut overtime at work off, but I think I have enough money to afford a set of decent heads. I know I should do a leak down test first. What other things should I test, and what are your opinions on the problem?? Let me know if you guys need any more info.. Thanks for your help....  Don
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: emarine01]
#349058
06/16/09 04:06 PM
06/16/09 04:06 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
donscuda
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
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Ok, thanks, We went over everything before we left, and everything checked out ok. I'll take the plugs out this weekend, and check them. It's just with the amount of oil pressure there was, and no smoke, I didn't think it was the rings...
Thanks again,
Don
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: emarine01]
#349059
06/16/09 04:11 PM
06/16/09 04:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 644
Minnesota
Barnstorm
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 644
Minnesota
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I don't necessarily think thats a lot of oil buzzing that motor for 300 miles with a 3.90 gear. Just good lubrication.
The little old lady from Pasadena is back!
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: donscuda]
#349062
06/16/09 10:03 PM
06/16/09 10:03 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,715
closer to Canadian beer!
torkrules
I'm neurotic
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I'm neurotic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,715
closer to Canadian beer!
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Quote:
I just got back from Hot Rod's Power Tour Sunday, and my '70 Cuda started to use some oil during the trip. Here's a little info on the motor. It's a '74 360 with a .528" lift mechanical cam , 9.5:1 compression, stock heads with some minor work, a M1 single plane intake with a 750 cfm Demon with mechanical secondaries, Mopar Performance electronic ignition with the chrome box, 1 1/2" headers, a 4 speed with a Centerforce II clutch. I also had 3.90 gears in it(I know that was a mistake...) The motor will idle with at least 35 psi of oil pressure, and rise to over 50 psi when being pressed on. The car will still idle with decent oil pressure. We were pushing the motor a little during the tour, but the motor did not smoke out of the exhaust at all, so I don't think it's the rings, I think it might be a problem with the valve seals, or something else in the heads. One other problem that happened was the breather on the valve cover was found off when we checked the oil at one gas stop. The breather fit the grommet tight, could there have been enough pressure in the head to blow the breather off? I really don't have the money to build a new motor for the car at this time because they cut overtime at work off, but I think I have enough money to afford a set of decent heads. I know I should do a leak down test first. What other things should I test, and what are your opinions on the problem?? Let me know if you guys need any more info..
Thanks for your help....
Don
Check the tail pipes for wet oily/carbon goo. Could be leaking past the exhaust guides/seals.
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: donscuda]
#349063
06/16/09 11:02 PM
06/16/09 11:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,084
Indiana
W5Duster436
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,084
Indiana
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Intake is sucking oil from the valley. I had the same issue with my 440 when I first got it running. Ate about 3 quarts in less than 500 miles and while driving never noticed any smoke. 340 did the same thing at first and I had to take off about .020 on it to get it to seal correctly. I am guessing that if you are sitting still and crack the throttle a few times you'll see the very light haze of smoke out the tailpipes. It's there just sometimes tough to see. 
'70 Duster - SDSS 436 W5 4spd (Gone)
'71 Dodge D100
'70 Dodge W100
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: blown360]
#349064
06/17/09 08:01 AM
06/17/09 08:01 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
donscuda
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
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Quote:
Are there any signs of leaks outside the motor ie on the block,spray in the bay,drips from bellhousing etc etc?
The only sign of a leak was when the breather was pushed out of the valve cover, and there was a slight amount of film on the valve cover, and that side of the engine compartment. That was something else I was a little concerned with, the breather was in there TIGHT when we left, and it was blown off while we were driving, and found it down by the headers at one of the gas stops, I've never seen that much pressure in the valve cover that would cause something like that to happen. I didn't notice any other oil by the bellhousing or the other side...
Thanks everyone for the help... I appreciate it 
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: donscuda]
#349065
06/17/09 08:39 AM
06/17/09 08:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Central Oregon
Rodney
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Central Oregon
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Is this a new engine? are the rings seated? what kind and size oil pan are you running? did you fill the oil pan with liquid before installing to know exactly how much oil can safely be added before it comes in contact with the rotating Assembly in the crank case? {you can't trust a dip stick with after market parts} A PVC or vacuum pump will lower crank case pressure and may help. As mentioned I too have had intakes leak due to improper fit to the valley area, but in my case it smoked and sucked a LOT of oil in a short time.
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: Rodney]
#349066
06/17/09 10:21 AM
06/17/09 10:21 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
donscuda
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,642
Chicago, Illinois
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The engine is a couple of years old, but sat most of last year because I had to have a calcium deposit removed from my right heel.. It was run the years prior, so I think the rings are seated. I have a basic 5 qt. pan, and I haven't verified the total amout of oil before the oil comes into contact with the crank... I'm thinking a PVC system would help with the pressure, seeing that it blew the breather off. Is there a specific type, or just run the stock PVC Valve with the hose?
Thanks again,
Don
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: W5Duster436]
#349068
06/17/09 08:32 PM
06/17/09 08:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 569
Pasco, WA
440mag
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 569
Pasco, WA
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Quote:
Intake is sucking oil from the valley. I had the same issue with my 440 when I first got it running.
Ate about 3 quarts in less than 500 miles and while driving never noticed any smoke.
340 did the same thing at first and I had to take off about .020 on it to get it to seal correctly.
I am guessing that if you are sitting still and crack the throttle a few times you'll see the very light haze of smoke out the tailpipes. It's there just sometimes tough to see.
I would put my money on a leaking intake. You don't get the normal vacuum leak indications because the oil is filling the void and it slowly sucks the oil out. You have good combustion it is burning the oil and you can't see it.
Start the car and run it a few minutes. Shut it off before it gets up to temp. Pull your spark plugs. One or more will have traces of oil or carbon.
My two cents
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Re: Engine is using oil, but not smoking...
[Re: 440mag]
#349069
06/17/09 09:34 PM
06/17/09 09:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Central Oregon
Rodney
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Central Oregon
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It might also be a good idea to check the torque of the intake bolts. depending on the intake maybe you could pull the carburetor and peek down the runners and see if there is an indication of oil past the intake. When I discovered the intake leak on the 383 I was repairing once I pulled the intake it was very obvious what was going on.
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