61 engine questions

[drnittler]

Hi,
I have some 61 six cylinder questions if I may:
1. Is there something to add in the engine that sort of repairs beginning of cylinder head gasket potential leaks. I notice a real little of the "milky" oil when I check oil, not much (almost nothing) and not every time. Anti freeze is not discolored and not disappearing.
How do I check for this?
2. On my a rebuilt engine with 5000 miles on it, my oil seems to be dissappearing. If the oil goes it either is leaking or burning right???
I can find no leaks, and I don't think it is burning because the plugs don't foul up, and it runs nicely.
Details, rebuilt 1999, as of today only 5000 on it. Done with all new bearings, rings (not chrome)std size, honed everything done.
Any advise is appreciated.
Thanks

David G. Nittler

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by drnittler

Hi,
I have some 61 six cylinder questions if I may:
1. Is there something to add in the engine that sort of repairs beginning of cylinder head gasket potential leaks. I notice a real little of the "milky" oil when I check oil, not much (almost nothing) and not every time. Anti freeze is not discolored and not disappearing.
How do I check for this?
2. On my a rebuilt engine with 5000 miles on it, my oil seems to be dissappearing. If the oil goes it either is leaking or burning right???
I can find no leaks, and I don't think it is burning because the plugs don't foul up, and it runs nicely.
Details, rebuilt 1999, as of today only 5000 on it. Done with all new bearings, rings (not chrome)std size, honed everything done.
Any advise is appreciated.
Thanks

Any milky oil is not good. Was the head retorqued after running a few hundred miles? Personally, I would pull the head and check it for true then install a new head gasket and torque it properly.
How much oil is disappearing? You could be burning some and it wouldn't show on the plugs. Does it puff when you start up? Could be bad valve guide seals or worn valve guides if they weren't replaced in the rebuild.

Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia

[drnittler]

Head was retorqued later on. No blank smoke at all on start up. No milky white smoke. Some smoke untill warned up. Used a quart every 100 miles.
No valve guide pu in. Checked at a machine shop in 1999. They were ok.
PS some oil spits out the oil cap under higher speeds. PCV valve etc is clean and not plugged.

David G. Nittler

[Guest]

When you drain the oil is it milky? You might just be getting the milky oil from condesation inside the dip stick tube. Sounds like it is not driven very much and therefore sees little heat soaking and the moisture is never completely worked out. As far as the oil consumption...how much in how many miles? If there are no territorial markings on the garage floor it is burning it. Engines can consume a fair amount of oil and not foul the plugs. Rings seated? Guides replaced when rebuilt? Any blue smoke? It'll burn oil and not put out blue smoke.

Bill, Many Fords and one great Stude!

[drnittler]

You may be right..Perhaps the milky look is from not enough use. It doesn't happpen every time i check oil.I may get to drive it once a week and start it now and then. As for rings seating, when would that happen? I have 5000 miles on the rebuild in 10 years. No blue smoke. No milk in drained oil ever. PS what weight is good to use now that I found ZDDP additative?
Guides were never replaced, machine shop in 1999 said they were ok.
Again thanks for the help....


David G. Nittler

[StudeRich]

Since your profile says you live in USA, I don't know if you are Southern or Northern U.S. but SAE 30 is best for South and SAE 20 or 10W-30 for North half of Country, or where freezing occurs.

This has worked for me, also 20W-50 for above freezing temps. others will have their favorite opinions. [^]

[Chucks Stude]

You may have some stuck rings, causing the oil to spit out of the oil filler. Some consistant driving, and getting the engine warm will help. Mine smoked, and blew the oil filler cap off, for the first 6 months after I got it. Driving it, changing the oil regularly, cured it. I agree, the milkiness is probably from not getting the engine hot enough to boil off any condensation. Might also help to get it up to about 60 mph, and let off the gas, and coast down to about 30, and try that a few times, helps suck oil behind the rings.

[drnittler]

Thanks one and all, I'll try out this stuff. I have been babying it only driving 45-50. Can this engine do better, or is the speedometer with 120mph wishful thinking???

David G. Nittler

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by drnittler

Thanks one and all, I'll try out this stuff. I have been babying it only driving 45-50. Can this engine do better, or is the speedometer with 120mph wishful thinking???

Maybe that's the problem- you need to blow out the cobs as we used to say. The comfortable speed depends a bit on the tranny. With an overdrive 65, 70 or more is easy and comfortable. With an automatic or three speed manual you're probably going to be kind of buzzy at or over 65.


Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia