Hi David. Interesting problem that leads to some questions and comments. 1- Is there visible smoke from the car? If the oil consumption is not really visible, I'd not worry about it. A quart every 500 miles is not usually visible from the tailpipe and is much cheaper than an engine rebuild. 2- Water and soot from the tailpipe is normal to an extent, ie, condensation will form in the exhaust system and drip when the car is first run. If it's continuous while running you have a definite problem. 3- Regarding the radiator, can you see bubbles in the water? That is an indication of blown headgasket. If no bubbles and the water level is not going down, I'd not jump to the conculsion of a bad head gasket. General comments. It is quite possible to pull the intake manifolds, heads and replace the head gaskets at home. It will take some help to lift the heads and do yourself a favor and pull the hood first. It is also possible to do a hone and re-ring job with the block in the car. Somewhat painful but I and lots of others have done it. Pull the heads, drop the pan, disconnect the rod caps and push the pistons out the top. Hone the cylinders, clean the bores well, reinsert the pistons and put in new bearings and seals. No big deal. How much you can do is dependent on what needs doing. If the ridge at the top of the bore is minor, a rering might do the trick. If you have visible smoke at startup only, it is valve seals and guides. The seals can be replaced without pulling the heads. Another email can explain if you decide to go that route. Ok, now for the controversial part. I do not like visible smoke even at startup, also don't like low oil pressure. My solution? 50W Valoline non-detergent oil. In MY EXPERIENCE, multigrade, detergent oils will cause visible smoke while single higher weight non-detergent oils will not. I've done this for 35 years. The ONLY problem I've seen is in VERY cold temperatures it is a little slower cranking. If you determine you don't have air in the radiator, I'd put the heavier oil in it and see how it does. Regards Kerryp 50 Crown, 54 Custom, 57,61s, 64, 68 convert, 73 Imps --- ChickDJC@xxxxxxx wrote: > I need advice from the engine folks. My 54 Custom > Imperial (331 Hemi) is > running just fine...but bad symptoms are just > starting to occur (original > miles 90k). There is black, wet (as in water) soot > coming from the exhaust > pipes. And, there is oil in the radiator. My > assumption: bad head gasket. > Also, the car burns a bit too much oil for my taste. > > > So, here is the question: What is the most and least > I can do in my garage on > my own (without pulling the engine, and without > getting a machine shop > involved or a costly mechanic)? > > For example: Pulling the heads should not be a > problem. And therefore > redoing the head gasket should not be a problem > either, right? Should I have > any work done on the heads with them off? > > Okay, what about the engine burning too much oil? > Sounds like the rings, > right? What type of piston/ring work can be done on > a car without pulling > the engine? > > What other advice do you have for me? I am being > too cheap...and should pull > the engine and have the thing re-bored, honed, new > pistons, rings etc.? > > You advice is most appreciated. > > David > 54 Imperial > >