A follow-up on last weeks request for help. First, thank you to everyone
who answered. I think I responded personally to most people who answered
but if I missed you please accept my appreciation here.
I re-visited the potential purchase car today. Other than the engine
condition I'm satisfied on the other issues brought up previously.
Here's what I learned about the engine today:
There is smoke coming from the breather pretty much at all times--cold,
hot, whatever. The only time it really stopped was when we removed the
oil filler cap on the very top of the engine and then we saw smoke
coming from there instead.
We did compressions checks both cold and hot. Here are the results for
each of the four cylinders:
Cold: 115, 114, 125, 110
Hot: 105, 110, 120, 105
This gave us a chance to examine the spark plugs. All were black and
somewhat oily.
I also watched the oil pressure more closely this time. Immediately
after startup it was around 80. After the car warmed up and we drove it
it was around 50, varying with engine RPM as expected. After finishing
driving with the car at idle it was down to about 20.
After the car was warmed up the exhaust was fairly clear. However, if
the engine was rev'ed at the point where it was released back to idle
there would be a puff of exhaust smoke.
Some final notes: over the past 20 years the car has been used very
little, averaging less than 100 miles per year. The engine starts right
up, idles smoothly and seems to have plenty of power while driving.
Although other indications seem good, I assume that the smoke does
indicate a problem. But, how bad? Something that has to be rebuilt right
away? Good enough to drive for a few thousand miles and then requiring
some work? Or...? Any feedback is appreciated.
--Nels Anderson
Potential 1950 MGTD
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