[FC] engine smoking at start up and -

[James Davis]

Corvairs are notorious for smoking (blue oil smoke) when starting up; 
especially if the engine is stopped tilted and the oil hot from an 
extended run.  Oil gets trapped in a down hill barrel and seeps past 
the rings.  As for oil consumption, my 1965 Corsa used a quart of oil 
every 350 miles from the time I bought it in March of 1965, until I 
rebuilt the engine in 1969.  I consider anything better than 500 
miles per quart to be acceptable, but it really depends on oil 
temperature and engine rpm.
Jim Davis



At 05:49 PM 7/6/2006, Ruth Dorogi wrote:
>Have a 63 rampside that I was hoping to enter in the concours at 
>Buffalo.  I rebuilt the engine 3000 miles ago and it occasionally 
>smoked at startup.  I assumed it was due to the chrome rings not 
>being seated yet.
>        The 95 hp engine has new cylinders, pistons, rings, 
> bearings, new lifters on original cam, new valves but I didn't 
> replace guides as they seemed tight (I know, I know) but they were 
> much tighter than many engines I worked on.
>        When I started the engine today it smoked badly but cleared 
> up as it usually does but after a short drive and some idling for a 
> few minutes it smoked again when the engine was revved,  and if 
> started after setting for a few minutes it smokes badly after 
> startup.  It never did this before when the engine was warm.  What 
> is going on?  The PVC valve is new and I bypassed the valve but it 
> still smokes.   I am going to pull the valve covers tomorrow but 
> don't what to look for.  Could a valve seal coming off cause this 
> problem?  I would appreciate your help.  Oh, the engine idles 
> smooth & is strong running and reliable but burns a quart of oil 
> about every 800 miles .  Compression is 142 - 150 lbs.  Thanks.
>___