oil mist:

[strat1960s]

Here goes:

I know that I have a problem with my valve guides leaking oil and I plan to pull the head and have the guides replaced. I have noticed over the last couple of weeks that there is an oilly build up around the breather and down the sides of the valve cover. Could this be related to the valve guide problem? Maybe this is where some of my oil is going instead of being burnt inside the motor.
Can anyone tell me if the oil around the breather could be related to the valve guide leaking?
Thanks,

Ted

 

[wsa111]

Ted, you have too much crankcase pressure. First, do you have the proper pcv valve, is the hose to the pcv fully open & supplying a good vacuum to the valve? Do you have worn rings causing excessive blowby.
Have you overfilled the pan since the last oil change?? 4.5 qts with a stock oil filter. Hope you find the culprit. Also run a dry & wet compression check. Do this & you will track your problem down. william

 

[strat1960s]

William,

I ran the compression test a few weeks ago and all my numbers were within specs. Yes, I did slightly over fill the oil by about 1/2 a quart, give or take. The oil level is back down to where it should be. Now for the PCV, I have the hose connected to the carb adapter. I also have the hose comming off the breather connected to the carb. Everything basically leads back to the intake.
My number 4 cylinder is the one that has me concerned. That one had the lowest readings, yet it was well within specs. I also saw signs of oil fouling on the spark plug. The motor idles a little rough and creates some smoke until the motor warms up. After saying that to the owner of the machine shop that I had the motor built, he said it was definately the valve guides. I guess I need to wait till the work is done and see if it is still doing it. I guess I should also get a new breather.

Ted