Here's my smokey tale of woe...
My '60 TR3A had been running well enough, but with a slight miss and a
niggling problem with points pitting (condenser replaced, no change). Last
night
I decided to clean up the distributor and plugs, as well as check the vacuum
advance mechanism. I discovered that the screw mounting the condenser was
binding against the lower plate and preventing the vacuum advance from
rotating
the plates. An extra washer and it was clear. But I digress.
After checking and resetting several valves, cleaning the points and plugs
and setting the timing, I went for a test drive. Nothing unusual, but I
realized I had forgotten to reattach the vaccum pipe to the distributor
advance
unit. I returned to the garage, hooked up the pipe, then backed out for
another test drive. This time, I noticed loads of white/blue smoke coming
from the
tailpipe. Back into the garage to observe the smoke. Billowy, I would
say.
A little background: Upon pulling the old plugs earlier, I noticed a
slight shine to the number-four plug, indicating oil fouling. The other
three
looked normal. After the smoke appeared, I pulled the number four plug and
noticed a considerable stream of white smoke coming from the plug hole. Not
good, I'm thinking.
After rechecking the valves this morning, a compression test (engine warm,
three plugs in) revealed 185 in #4,170 in #3, 160 in #2, 170 in #1.
Rechecking #4 brought a reading of 160. After squirting oil in the cylinder,
#4 went
back up to 185 again. Ibm guessing oil seeping into #4 after engine
shutdown
brought the initial 185 reading.
There is considerable blue/white smoke upon start up. It then thins out a
bit, but remains consistent at idle and on revving the engine.
Any clues as to what Ibm experiencing? Any other checks to help with a
diagnosis? Ibm curious why the smoke appeared b all of a sudden,b but I
suppose
when stuff happens, it can happen quickly.
Many thanks in advance for all assistance.
Bill Stagg
1960 TR3A
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