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Smokin' Poly

Longram330

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Local time
8:27 PM
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Sep 20, 2015
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Location
Canada
Hello People! My original 64,000 mile 1963 Dodge (Canadian Built 440 model) with the 313 Polysphere V-8 3 speed standard trans has me scratching my head a bit. This engine runs super smooth has gobs of power but it does two things....First it smokes like an old steamer out of the tailpipe when warmed up , the smoke has a blueish/white look to it so not sure if its oil or antifreeze , the oil level doesn't look like its dropping any and I did do a coolant system pressure check with non conclusive results(very slight pressure drop) , compression is about 95 psi cold with the two left front cylinders at about 80 psi and the plugs have a fluffy black look to them but not really an oily look! The engine does not missfire and has a steady smooth idle.... It wasn't smoking when I got the car , it started after a few years in storage (storage was in a dry building engine oil changed prior to storage) The other thing it does is that it looses its oil pressure intermittently , I put a tee below the oil pressure sending unit (which I replaced with a new one) so I could run a gauge and sure enough the oil pressure goes away but it comes back! It sits at about 20 psi at idle and runs up to a little under 65 at speed until it disappears suddenly! I dropped the pan and had a look at the oil pump , which appeared in very nice shape , almost no sludge in the pan. I replaced the pump with a Melling high volume oil pump. I did remove a few con rod caps to have a look at the bearings and there is no damage so it appears that the bottom end is getting oil. Any ideas? Due to its originality I was hoping not to pull the engine but I have a feeling it may be unavoidable...
 
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95 psi seems a little low to me.As far as I can read into this I think you might have some tight rings stuck to the pistons,and possible a pin hole in the pick up tube.When the oil is cool it will not leak passed the rings because it is thicker,and the oil pump won't cavitate, as it gets warm it gets thinner and the oil rings can't scrape the oil off the cylinders,and the thinner oil would let the pump suck enough air to effect the oil pressure.It's only a possibilty, not gospel
 
Hello People! My original 64,000 mile 1963 Dodge (Canadian Built 440 model) with the 313 Polysphere V-8 3 speed standard trans has me scratching my head a bit. This engine runs super smooth has gobs of power but it does two things....First it smokes like an old steamer out of the tailpipe when warmed up , the smoke has a blueish/white look to it so not sure if its oil or antifreeze , the oil level doesn't look like its dropping any and I did do a coolant system pressure check with non conclusive results(very slight pressure drop) , compression is about 95 psi cold with the two left front cylinders at about 80 psi and the plugs have a fluffy black look to them but not really an oily look! The engine does not missfire and has a steady smooth idle.... It wasn't smoking when I got the car , it started after a few years in storage (storage was in a dry building engine oil changed prior to storage) The other thing it does is that it looses its oil pressure intermittently , I put a tee below the oil pressure sending unit (which I replaced with a new one) so I could run a gauge and sure enough the oil pressure goes away but it comes back! It sits at about 20 psi at idle and runs up to a little under 65 at speed until it disappears suddenly! I dropped the pan and had a look at the oil pump , which appeared in very nice shape , almost no sludge in the pan. I replaced the pump with a Melling high volume oil pump. I did remove a few con rod caps to have a look at the bearings and there is no damage so it appears that the bottom end is getting oil. Any ideas? Due to its originality I was hoping not to pull the engine but I have a feeling it may be unavoidable...
95 psi seems a little low to me.As far as I can read into this I think you might have some tight rings stuck to the pistons,and possible a pin hole in the pick up tube.When the oil is cool it will not leak passed the rings because it is thicker,and the oil pump won't cavitate, as it gets warm it gets thinner and the oil rings can't scrape the oil off the cylinders,and the thinner oil would let the pump suck enough air to effect the oil pressure.It's only a possibilty, not gospel
 
Longram 330: Check for coolant in the oil. Polys would do that if the head gaskets get old. Look for milky deposits on dipstick or remove a valve cover and look for evidence of condensation there. Valve guide seals could be old, brittle and leaking. The intake valve on the 318 poly is sitting in an almost vertical position and can leak oil. Smell of the ex. smoke and see if you can detect a slight antifreeze odor. Rings (stuck) could be an issue if the engine has been sitting for some time. Look for signs of oil in coolant. Don't give up, it's like solving a puzzle. Takes time.
 
First off, do the compression test with a fully warmed up engine. Also, did you do the check with the throttle blades wide open? What weight oil are you using and did the pressure drop on hard acceleration or decel? Does it quit smoking when you are driving it?
 
Your oil pressure dropping could be due to a faulty bypass on your oil filter.I heard about this years ago and it was happening to a Jeep Cherokee I-6 that a friend of mine bought for a winter beater last year.I suggested replacing the cheapo Fram filter with a quality one and the problem went away and didn't return.
I'd imagine that's why he got the Jeep at a giveaway price.
 
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