<VV> Whatta ya' think about old rings?

[GYoungwolf@aol.com]

I was helping a friend get a '62 coupe running this weekend after it took a 
sabbatical of some 34 years (last ran in 1970)! Figured it was as good a way as 
any to celebrate. It has an RD engine block (1965/6/7 110HP), PG, and big 
white walls. It had fresh '62 carbs, battery, wires, points, plugs, rotor, cap, 
and a bypass of the stock fuel line to handle some fresh premium gas. Well, it 
started right up, but was blowing some grayish smoke through the crankcase 
vent. If the vent was plugged for a moment, it puked gobs of oil out the dipstick 
tube. The lifters and bearings quieted down after about 10 minutes of idling 
and easy revs, but the smoking continued. We let it run about half an hour. I 
have heard that this is a sign of bad rings (no compression gauge was 
available) and am seeking opinions as to whether the rings might eventually clear up 
after all this time, and whether there are additives that might help? Although 
the engine mileage is unknown, it seems it couldn't have been all that bad 
having been in the car a maximum of 4-5 years. 

As an aside, the engine is sitting toward the rear of the car at what looks 
to be about 1.5 inches too far based on the gap between the front shroud and 
firewall? It has an early engine bracket and motor mount. Any ideas on this one?

Thanks,
Grant