My 49 3600 w/original 216 has been running fine, but in the last 3 weeks has
started to emit a fair amount of blue smoke. It seems worse when you let off
to shift, but a thin cloud is now always present. I bought a compression
tester and used it last night. The throttle plate was blocked wide open, gas
shut off and the engine had just been driven for 1/2 hour. The readings:
1 2 3 4 5 6
50 20 110 80 0 20
wet 70 20 110 80 0 20
I'm astounded. How can it run so well, it sounds like a sewing machine? The
plugs were all light brown with a little soot. I installed new plugs and
started the truck. Pulled off the plug wires 1 at a time. Number 2 and 5
elicit no change at all. I did the compression test to try to ascertain if
it was valves or rings. I don't know how to interpret these numbers. I was
planning to pull off the rocker assembly and check the rocker arms to see if
the contacts are flat, re-install and re-set the valves to see if that
would help, but I'd sure like some comments. I have a 235 that ran well when
I pulled it last year. I would like to keep the 216 if possible and wouldn't
mind doing a valve job, but I don't want to do a complete rebuild. How can I
tell if it is the valves or rings, and how can I do a compression test on
the 235 in the engine stand??
