a smokey problem...

[markzepp820]

I've got a 1979 chevy PK that has a 350 with tru duals. I've been noticing that my driver side tailpipe exhales more exhaust than the pass. side tailpipe. It also smells richer on the driver side. It started doing this after I intalled my Holley 600. I bought this carb used and rebuilt it. The only possibilities I can think of is that the holley has mis-matched jets or one of the idle passages is clogged. It does this at idle that I know of, not sure about cruising speeds.
Anyone have any other possibilities they can throw at me? Much appreciated,
thanks,
Mark

[VileZambonie]

Are you running exhaust manifolds? If so it sounds like your heat riser is stuck closed.

[markzepp820]

I forgot to mention that. I have headers.

[VileZambonie]

Are you noticing any performance problems?

[markzepp820]

the idle is a bit rough sometimes, but other than that no, the performance is good. I recently checked my oil and it was very low. I had just added a quart 5 days prior. So, my motor is consuming alot of oil for some reason. The exhaust is normal on the right tailpipe, but the left tail pipe makes ya want to GAG! I can't tell if the smoke is blueish(oil burning) cause its cold right now. Anywase, Alls I know is they're is way more condensation coming out of the left tailpipe. Sorry this reply is so long, I like to give presice detail. thanks, Mark

[VileZambonie]

Well the best thing to do is stick a gas analyzer in the tailpipe and measure your exhaust gasses. Make a comparrison from the lest to the right side.

Now if you are seeing bluish/grey smoke that's one thing - engine oil.

Rich airl/fuel mixture will exhibit Black somke.

White smoke is either ATF or Coolant.

Some vacuum modulator diaphragms would leak and the vacuum hose would draw ATF into the intake manifold. If you have a dual plane intake it will definitely only pull it into one side of the engine and the result would be white smoke from one tailpipe.

Are you equipped with an automatic trans? If so pop the vac hos off of the vacuum modulator at the trans and see if any atf drips out.

[markzepp820]

I'll check it out. I do have a dual plane intake and auto tranny. thank you vilezambonie

[markzepp820]

Well, I pulled the spark plugs today and they were pretty gunked up. The plugs had tanish brown deposits all over them, even in the gaps. I think this played a big role in my peformance. I also did check the tranny line, its not sucking ATF. I also checked the brake power booster vaccum hose, no brake fluid. I have a question about rocker arms; what bad symptoms would I notice if my rocker arms were too loose??? thanks,
                                                       Mark

[Lt.Del]

tap,tap,tap,tap....

Also your performance would not be great due to the rocker arms control the valve lifting, both exhaust and intake.   If the valves wont open all the way for the exhaust to leave or intake to give it air and gas, efficiency will be lost.  If they are real loose, the push rod will be tapping the rocker arm, the lifter will be tapping the push rod, etc,..  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[markzepp820]

thankyou for the info SgtDel. I am hearing some tapping, so I'm gonna tighten em' up and see if they're the culprit.

thanks again,
                 mark

[123 pugsy]

Check your PCV valve hose at the carburetor to see if its sucking oil.My new 350 was sucking a lot of oil so I installed a cheap oil/water separator.

[VileZambonie]

pugsy, installing that PCV valve in a baffled valve cover instead of your filler pipe will eliminate that problem as long as you have a breather.

[123 pugsy]

I tried it on my baffled Edelbrock cover and even tacked 2 pcs of metal in it to improve it but it still sucked it the same.I used my "site glass" to check both locations and yes I had a breather on the other cover. I now have a breather on each cover and I have screening stuffed inside the tube that the PCV valve comes out of to trap some of the oil. High vacuum with my RV cam really sucks the oil.

Sucking oil through the PCV valve could lead to high oil consumption.

pugsy

[Lt.Del]

It helps to read these things.  My 383 stroker has an rv cam.  Perhaps I should check my pos crank ventilation valve for oil.hmmmmmm...  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[VileZambonie]

Typically a PCV system does not cause any oil consumption. If it does there is a problem with high crankcase pressure and that maeans your CCV system is not functional or you have excessive blow by. There should never be a need for an oil seperator.