Re: IML: Oil usage theories

[therichardsonfamily@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Thanks Fred and Mark and Dave and Michael:

I will try the downhill deceleration test, and also another compression test to see where I'm at after 3000 miles from resurrection.  If I can help lessen oil consumption with valve seals, I may just have the heads completely redone - then I would have that part completed for a few hundred bucks.  On the other hand, I don't want to speed up the rebuild timetable either.  Is that really a likely possibility?  Is it safer to just do seals in-vehicle?

I would think if I had bad rings, I would see oil fouling on the plugs - not just wet threads.  Bad rings wouldn't get me 90 - 125 psi compression either, I assume.  Oil fill is correct - 4 qts. with out filter.  Intake valley pan is another thought.

I really haven't let it get more than 1 quart low - I'd rather just keep it full for now.  This poor girl has only recently been pulled out of the grave, and I still need to keep her hooked up to life support.  Ultimately, a engine rebuild will be needed, but I want to continue to enjoy her until I can afford to do a complete job.  It's all about the enjoyment, right?

Thanks for the info.

Dan Richardson
300L Family Heirloom


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Frederick Joslin" <fljoslin@xxxxxxxx>
> Hi Dan:You can change the valve seals without pulling the heads if you
> really need to.However, if you do pull the heads you can rebuild the
> heads, install teflon seals and get a good look at the cylinder walls
> Have you tried a more viscous oil? Things in an engine can change quickly
> so you should really do a leak down test or at least another compression
> test to see where you stand now. Good luck.
> 
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: therichardsonfamily@xxxxxxxxxxx

> 
>   Hello everyone (& Dave):
> 
>   I have excessive oil usage on my '67 Imperial
>   engine. Not much of a surprise with 150K+, and
>   sitting for a decade. 1 quart/150 miles at 70
>   mph, & 1 quart/300 miles at 45ish avg. mph
>   around town. I know the correct answer is to
>   do a complete rebuild. Can't quite pop for
>   that right now, as there are too many other
>   priorities for my next $3000.
> 
>   Compression check months ago was OK, no blue
>   smoke at cold start up (even if sitting for
>   days), no blue smoke at hard acceleration, or
>   after idle - just no blue smoke at all. Idles
>   and drives quite well, gets about 11 mpg.
>   Pulled the plugs yesterday after 3000 miles,
>   and they were nicely tanned/greyed, clean
>   everywhere except wet oil on the threads.
> 
>   Dave had mentioned earlier that big block
>   Mopars have a tendency to need valve seals. If
>   that is what's indicated by the above evidence,
>   I could probably find the resources to pull the
>   heads.
> 
>   Any expert (or otherwise) theories and thoughts would be most
>   welcomed.
> 
>   Dan Richardson
>   300L Family Heirloom

--- Begin Message ---

• From: "Frederick Joslin" <fljoslin@xxxxxxxx>
• Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:44:28 +0000

Hi Dan:

You can change the valve seals without pulling the heads if you really need to.

However, if you do pull the heads you can rebuild the heads, install teflon seals and get a good look at the cylinder walls

Have you tried a more viscous oil?  

Things in an engine can change quickly so you should really do a leak down test or at least another compression test to see where you stand now.

Good luck.

----- Original Message -----
From: therichardsonfamily@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: IML: Oil usage theories
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:20:59 +0000


Hello everyone (& Dave):

I have excessive oil usage on my '67 Imperial
engine. Not much of a surprise with 150K+, and
sitting for a decade. 1 quart/150 miles at 70
mph, & 1 quart/300 miles at 45ish avg. mph
around town. I know the correct answer is to
do a complete rebuild. Can't quite pop for
that right now, as there are too many other
priorities for my next $3000.

Compression check months ago was OK, no blue
smoke at cold start up (even if sitting for
days), no blue smoke at hard acceleration, or
after idle - just no blue smoke at all. Idles
and drives quite well, gets about 11 mpg.
Pulled the plugs yesterday after 3000 miles,
and they were nicely tanned/greyed, clean
everywhere except wet oil on the threads.

Dave had mentioned earlier that big block
Mopars have a tendency to need valve seals. If
that is what's indicated by the above evidence,
I could probably find the resources to pull the
heads.

Any expert (or otherwise) theories and thoughts would be most welcomed.

Dan Richardson
300L Family Heirloom


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--- End Message ---