We just picked up a 56 vicky ,had not been run for 5 years, when the owner passed away. I got it  running , starts up , runs fine , but after a minute ,it starts smoking from the left bank. The motor is either fresh rebuild or fresh paint. There is no blow by. When I get back to it in a few days, off comes the valve covers , compression test , I am thinking it's a top end problem . Anything else to look for ?

Po ol Davie

Sparta , Tn.

Stuck rings on the pistons comes to mind.  Putting some ATF in the cylinders and air pressuring each cylinder and then letting the engine sit overnight before cranking it back up may help.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Intake valve seal?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I was thinking same as Frank - oil puddling in the valve cover on that side - stuffed drain holes - burned up umbrellas, etc.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Anti freeze getting into a cylinder?

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks for the info guys, just got back from florida, hot !!! here in tn. Hot and humid !! Took off the valve cover, clean as can be. Did a compression test, not bad , no big holes. I think the guy put a used motor in , painted it.

  I think all the smoke is from the exhaust pipe and muffler  from the old engine that oiled it down from the inside, that would explain why it smokes after it gets heated up, the oil starts burning from the inside.   

Po ol Davie

Sparta , Tn.

Mongo ,

Is it possible to drop the exhaust and see if it is still smoking from the manifolds ??? Other than that,try Ted's idea . Another thought would be to try a heavier oil ,maybe a 20w- 60 ,or even a straight weight 50 .???

Lon

yblocksdownunder