Several years back(3)I had a reputable shop completely rebuild the 230 in my 64'. After getting everything installed and running, I was happy as a lark and proceeded in rounding up some more parts needed to finish the project and work on the body. I drove it for the 3 years, and put about 6,000 miles on it when one night on the way to town, it made some noise and started losing power. I shut it down and the next day found a broken valve spring. When I tore the head off to get that fixed, I noticed that the cylinders were polished like a mirror, and I found most of the guides worn WAY out of tolerance. 5 of the valves had mushroomed at the rockers, and the head needed 7 thou. to get it back to where it needed to be. I have had it rebuilt(again)this time using new rings(carbon style instead of the moly rings like the first time)all new bearings,new guides, new 3 row radiator,etc.etc. So far everything seems to be going well after the first 500 miles, but my friends tell me they notice a strong fuel smell when it's running coming from the exhaust and a very small puff of blue smoke at first fire. So far nobody has told me what went wrong to cause the grief from the first rebuild, and I"d like to make sure if there is anything I need to do to keep this engine together that I stay on top of it. I drove it as I was told to do during the break in and in 6000 miles had changed the oil religously, almost to the point of being anal. I'm using a good grade oil, and keeping fresh fuel with a filter in it. Hopefully this time around it'll work as it should and I can spend my bux on finishing the body work instead of having to rebuild the engine(again). I'll be keeping the truck no matter what as it was the only new vehicle my grandparents had ever owned and also the same truck I got my license in way back when. But with a stack of reciepts totalling over 10 grand in parts without including anything for the labor, and the original invoice showing a purchse price of $2,005, I'm starting to wonder about my mental state of mind.Do I need to think about having the carb checked out again? Thanks for the chance to give a shout out.
Tramp
