The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Valve Adjustment and Blue Smoke

Engine was smoking a little after reinstalling the head in the 235. We adjusted the valves as per the shop manual, assuming we had solid lifters. Smoke cleared up and the engine was running fine. We since discovered that we have hydraulic lifters, and that two of the retaining clips had popped of the top of the lifters, probably after initial startup, since this truck had been sitting for 8 1/2 years in a field. We pulled all the lifters, thoroughly cleaned them, soaked them in oil and pumped them up and reinstalled. We then did a cold and then hot valve adjustment turning them down until the clicking stopped and then an additional 1/2 turn. Now the smoke has returned. Not so much on startup, but once warmed up it smokes (blue smoke) quite a bit on acceleration with the smoke lightening up on deceleration. Except for the smoke, the engine runs and idles very well. I'm hoping it's not rings, and that maybe we just adjusted too tightly. I really would appreciate any input. Thanks!

Your smoke will have nothing to do with the valve adjustment. If it sat that long, there is a possibiltiy of a stuck ring or they could just be worn out. You could try some special additive, some people have a lot of faith in synthetic, to accomplish a miracle. I would imagine the others will have some suggestions.

Try reseating the rings and see if it helps. High gear, up and down hard on the throttle a few times from about 20 to 40 mph. Usually, if a ring isn't seated, the hard vacuum/compression changes will work it in.

My 54 235 was doing the same thing, but I had 12 lbs compression in number one and 85 in number two. The rest were 115-120. I had the head rebuilt, checked the cylinder walls, push rods, rocker arms, lifters and cam. All were good, so I'm hoping I had a head problem or sticky rings. Is it unusual for only two cylinders to have sticky rings???

Not if the engine has been sitting for quite a while. Usually the result of just enough moisture to cause some rust.

My truck and it's 216 had been sitting outside for more than 10 years, undisturbed. After test running it, I took it apart. It had had a rebuild and not too many miles had been put on it. One of the pistons had a stuck oil ring assmbly that took a lot of force with the needle nose pliers, to get apart. The other pistons were OK. That one set of rings made it smoke badly.

What I didn't mention initially is that the old exhaust system was almost completely gone and we just put a new muffler on--------perhaps this created more pressure because we immediately noticed more smoke. I'm just wondering how long I should drive it in hopes of unsticking the rings, or if I should just bite the bullet and tear the engine down again.

If your rings are going to seat, they will do it in a few blocks. I usually go down a mile of country road. If there is still smoke after that, you're in need of engine work.