I have a 302 in my 68 coupe. Its been sitting for about a year and I just completed the restoration on it. When I start up in the am there is a little smoke. I have been told I might need a ring job. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to cut the smoke down?
Thanks

 

well the important thing is how does it run (smoke?) when hot. if that's ok then you might just have a badly adjusted choke. maybe it's just condensation. personally I couldn't be assed to do major modifications to an engine that smokes a little when cold. most likely not related to the internals

 

Thanks for the feedback, I was hoping the same thing, I am going to take it out on the highway and blow it out, it runs cool as a cucmber and good oil pressure

 

I am with Kalli. If it smokes blue smoke at idle or low rpms after it is warm then yes the rings are going. If it smokes white smoke when hot, you have a head gasket issue. If it smokes blue when cold, it could be valve stem seals. If it smokes a little white when cold, it is normal.

 

The smoke is white, no doubt about that, I am planning on getting on the highway to see if I can knock some crap out of it today. Thanks for the heads up and input.

 

Bad valve stem seals will smoke like a chimney at idle, especially when hot. Boy do I know.

 

white is clearly water, but i'd drive her warm and see from there. does she overheat? do you loose water?

 

It doesnt run hot and I was loosing water because I needed to replace the heater core oh yea tons of fun, I am thinking of running a thicker oil like a
50W

 

i wouldnt run 50w oil in a 302

 

valvoline VR1 20W-50 is good oil for such an engine i thought. at least that's what i'm using