My 96 GT lets a bit of smoke when I start it in the morning. Every now and then it lets a cloud out while coming out of idle (at a red light). Its also burning a quart of oil about every month. I drive about 80 miles daily and use Mobil 1 syntheic. Is there a additive that will slow or stop the oil burning? I know my motor is on the way out so I already saving for something more special. Im either thinking of a 4 valve swap (the whole motor) or a stroker combo. Im not yet decided. Any help will be appreciated.

 

boyntonstylez,

You could switch to one of those "high mileage" oils.

The smoke you describe(after idle) is most likely caused by oil entering through the valve guides. BUT....

Keep in mind 80(miles) * 5(days a week) * 4 (weeks in a month) = 1QT every 1600 miles. That is normal. And if you drive hard, even more normal.

Lets put it this way, if you sprung for a new Mustang and took the car into ford because it was using 1QT every 1600 miles, they would tell you to get bent...

They would not do anything until it was more like 1QT every 800 miles.

My 96 and my previous car (with 302 5.0 engine) consume oil at about that same rate, although, I never saw smoke.

Just the other day one of my friends was following me to lunch through heavy traffic (when I was driving somewhat aggressively), at lunch he was like "that mustang sounds good...", I'm like "did you see any smoke", "None..."

I guess my point is, are you totally sure you are seeing smoke from oil consumption?

Could be something else. Like maybe something is causing it to run rich at idle.

If the valves are leaking, "PI" heads could totally fix your problem. You could reuse the heads if you get a custom forged short-block.

Then again, if I was going to do the work myself, I'd much rather swap the whole engine.

I have done engine and head swaps before, but never swapped the heads on an overhead cam setup.

 

I'll disagree with you on this one on the basis that my 04 GT doesn't lose a drop of oil over miles, or time. It's started and driven daily. 1600 mile trip its oil was at the same level it was when I started the trip. I've gone ~2300 miles since I switched to synthetic and it's still at the level it was at when I put the synthetic in. 13k miles currently.

 

^^Ditto! Your car does not have to burn oil. Don't let anyone tell you its ok.

 

Ok,

be realistic.

last I checked the year is approaching 2006

2006 - 2004 = 2 years old > your car is just broken in, still under warantee I'd assume. Still making payments?

Damn right I'd try to get Ford to fix it. If it was using oil at that rate in a new car.

2006 - 1996 = 10 year old car.

boyntonstylez is asking for suggestions on what to replace his aging engine with.

I'm just telling him, that 1QT every 1600 is normal for a 10 year old car.

It does not mean that he needs to rush out and get the first engine he can afford though. And thats all I'm saying.

He has a 10 year old car. It uses oil. BFD. Not the end of the world.

I think he has time to do it right.

So for the stroker, I have read that the bottom rings on the pistons can come dangeriously close to the crank-case.

So I'd ask the engine builder about that before I went that route.

From what i read, The SOHC to DOHC engine swap is going to be a bitch.

Think about it. 80 miles a day? this car is the guy's daily-driver obviously.

So, think about it.

PI swap may fix the oil burning issue (an issue that can be simply ignored for a while) .

Then later you buy a short SOHC block, all forged... Or you skip that, do the entire engine at once.

boyntonstylez, what are you looking to spend?

I'm guessing more than a 1996 mustang GT is worth. Which is fine. Its a Mustang

 

Yes it is my daily driver. I have a 04 2500 Silverado 4x4 that just sucks gas like it was soda. Thus the reason of buying a somewhat cheaper daily driver. A 96 Mustang isnt the most performance minded car, although it holds it own. Thats why Im asking opinions on my plans for engine while I still have running and know what kinda money Ill put into it. I just want to be precautious about the oil burning b/c having your car breaking down 40 miles away from home isnt something I wanna go thru. Either way I took advantage of my day off today and looked at some salvage yards for motors. I came across some tempting deals, a 5.4 sohc from a Expedition with 55,000 miles for 700 and a 4.6 dohc Lincoln motor from a unknown model with about 70,000 miles and a melted intake for 350. Any way I go I dont wanna sacirfice the dependability or get outrageous mileage.