The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop crankcase ventilator tube

Should the crankcase ventilator tube have much exhaust or smoke coming from it? I started up a 261 ci 6 cylinder recently, that sat for the past couple of years in an old truck. After changing the oil, putting in new points and condenser, hooking 6 volts to the coil and 12 to the starter she fired right up. Compression varies from 92 to 118 psi. Readings go up about 10 lbs if I add 2tsp of oil in the cylinders. I know the heads need to be redone. Initially, there was a little smoke from the exhaust which now seems to have diminished and comes mainly from the exhaust manifold (at least one bolt is broken off). I hooked up a radiator since the engine is still on the frame, added fresh coolant and have run the engine about 5 or 6 times for 15-30 minutes during the past two weeks. The valves sound like they need adjusting and but overall the engine probably runs okay, it needs the timing checked. Should there be any smoke coming from the crankcase ventilator? The smoke is grayish black, and consistent, it doesn't seem too excessive, doesn't change as the engine warms up. I wonder if any smoke there is acceptable or a sign of trouble with the crank or something else.

Smoke coming out the crankcase breather means you have blowby. Combustion chamber pressure is going past the rings and getting into the crankcase, and its that exhaust you probably see coming out the breather.

Its not a good thing, but it won't keep it from running. Around here it would likely get you cited.

Rebuild it or pvc it