Innards question

[Jon Pike <jhpike@domain.elided>]

> Car: 1971 1750 Spider, box-stock, SPICA et. al. 98k original miles, to 
> my knowledge engine has never been opened up for anything more than a 
> valve adjustment (I am the 3rd owner).
>
> Indications: On cold startup, noticeable blue smoke out of the tailpipe 
> at all RPM except idle. Smoke gradually disappears as car warms up, and 
> no smoke is visible under normal driving conditions after operating temp 
> is reached. However, when pushed hard the engine will still smoke at 
> high RPM. I don't have exact oil consumption, but it's not awful. Say 1 
> qt every 1-2k miles. Haven't looked at the plugs yet, I lost my good 
> spark plug socket and don't want to wreck my lodge's with my taiwanese one.
>
> I *think* this is valve guides, but I'm not sure.
Hmmm... perhaps not.  Classic worn valve guides leak oil when there is 
engine vaccumm,  you rev up high, then go off throttle for a while.. 
then hit it again and see a load of smoke.

More continious, under load and high RPM smoke, might more likely be bad 
rings.

What puzzles me is, you're seeing lots of smoke and only burning a quart 
every 1-2000 miles???

I bought a 77 Spider recently, and managed to not notice a lot of smoke 
(only when fully warmed up) of valve guide and some ring nature.. and 
the car would down a quart every 100-150 miles!!  =:-0

The plugs of course, should tell you a lot..  though mine didn't look 
horribly fouled, just one was moderately bad.  Probably the plugs were 
hot enough to keep from staying drenched.

As for breaking plugs, just hold that wrench steady, you don't need a 
rubber insert if you take a little care to keep it straight.  Mine fell 
out years ago.. never broke a plug.

Good luck..

Jon
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