I probably know the answer.....I have a 50 3600 pickup with (I think) the original 216 motor (AHCA serial no.) that I awoke from a 27 year nap. When some friends help me haul this treasure home in fall '03 it had '76 license plates. Engine was stuck. I was patient and applied liberal amounts of Marvel Mystery Oil, WD40, etc. in the spark plug holes and waited 2 or 3 weeks before trying to start it. I was doing some other stuff to it; oil change, etc. When I did put a new battery on it it turned over great. After an ignition tune-up, carb cleaning and temporary gas can I got it started and running well. Sweet, actually. Since then I have worked on everything on this truck to get it roadworthy and just in the last 3-4 weeks have got to drive it. And man does it smoke. Am I lame to think that those old rings may yet re-seat and stop smoking? Condition of motor before retirement is unknown. My only other experience with a bad, smoking motor was an Olds 455 about 30 years ago. When I took it apart the oil rings were frozen in their grooves and would not expand against the cylinder wall. A cheap ring job got it running great and no smoke. What do you guys think? Thanks!
