I finally decided to determine what my approx fuel consumption is and based on one fill and roughly 100 miles I calculated it is in the 8 mpg range. I knew it wasn't good, but didn't expect it was that low, so I am wondering if my oil consumption problem may be associated with excess fuel washing down the cylinder bores resulting in bore and ring wear.
The engine has always started and run well, generally starting without the aid of the choke so I should have suspected it was pretty rich and I do not expect the fuel consumption to be very good.
If the oil problem is associated with excess fuel is it likely that the 1000 miles I have on the engine has worn it to the point that it needs to be honed and new rings installed or can I lean out the carburetor and avoid pulling it out and apart? I know there are a lot of piston miles traveled in the bores for 1000 miles but if I can avoid pulling the engine out/apart it would be desireable.
Regardless I need to detmerine how best to get the carburetor calibration closer to desired (whatever that means). Is there a good way to determine the proper jetting other than trial and error? I do not have an exhaust analyzer but may have a shop nearby that could help with this if that is the way to go.
I should add that the engine runs very well, pulls good through the rpm range with no bogs or indications of being too rich. The tailpipes have black soot and while it has been a while the plugs indicated (see earlier post in this thread) it was running a little rich but not so much so that they are sooted.
Last edited by WICruiser; 10/31/2026 1:53 PM. Reason: add additional information.
