20200226_195834 by NailedIT posted Feb 28, 2020 at 2:55 PM Hello all! First post here. Got my hands on a 65 skylark rag top. 401 with dual quads, and manual drum brakes. Shes a real handful. Anyhow, I've noticed it smoking out of the left side exhaust under hard acceleration. Pcv, and valve cover breather seem to be working and not clogged. I read in another post about "oil drain holes" in the heads possibly being clogged, only problem is I sure cant see them. Can anyone point them out to this nailhead newbie? Also, does this seem like too much oil to be setting in the head (engine was running and warm to the touch)? Thanks.
Hi, Usually the only way the drain holes are plugged is when the motor is slugged up, and that doesn't look that bad. Chech the plugs and or do a compression test that might help you figure out where the oil is entering the cylinders, bad ring, worn rings, oil seal? Best of luck with it Regards,
Jmos4, that's a relief! Thanks! First 3 plugs on both banks were a light chalky brown. The rear plugs were darker, but not what I'd call bad.
WELCOME TO THE "NAILhEAD" WORLD. They smoked a little when new. There are NO valve seals up until '66 & then ONLY on the intakes. The oil drain back holes are the push rod holes. Tom T.
There should not be that much oil sitting in the head. If the oil drains are as Tom said, the pushrod holes, they are plugged. I would pull the intake and valley cover and have a look
Because of the design of the head that amount of oil is NORMAL. They have to fill before the oil can drain down the push rod holes. When I do head mods one of the things I do is to drill 1/4" hole at the bottom of the "V" under the rocker supports to facilitate oil drain back.
Roger that. Thanks for the replies! As stated that was on a barely warm engine, if that matters. I slapped the offy valve covers back on top of some fresh cork gaskets. Motor is quiet, and has good oil pressure. I'm gonna let it ride after an oil change and rear end swap.
