The mystery of the missing oil?
Okay, investigation largely complete.
Photos of plugs, valve cover, and restrictor attached.
Here's a series of events I belive contributed. (all like six months ago)
- I installed a new mechanical fuel pump as I suspected the old one was leaking into the crank case
- Oil changed
- After I put in the new fuel pump, I noticed the car flooding and causing the car to die. This made me think the new fuel pump had too much pressure, so I installed a fuel restrictor thing to take it down to 6psi on the dial.
- I then discovered my float issue in the carb (sticking float), fixed that and bench tested/adjusted the carb, and put it back on. No more flooding. I left the restrictor in place, I guess because why not.
Cut to today.
I removed the fuel pump and bench tested it, and as suspected, it tested fine. No leaks into the crankcase side. Upon re-smelling the oil, I firmly believe that it smells like burnt oil, NOT GAS.
I removed the fuel restrictor because, when I removed the fuel like from the output of the pump, it sprayed like hell. I think it was causing a ton of back pressure on the pump which is not good. Some is normal but this was aggressive.
I also added about a quart of oil and it leveled out nicely on the dipstick.
I'm going to keep an eye on the oil far more often and see how it goes.... I'm sure the rings are tired and it's just an old burny engine.
Oh yes - undercarriage inspection revealed no leaks around junctions or connections, however, the space behind the main crank pulley was dirty and oily, though not quite "wet". Could be a front main seal?
As far as the low power while turning, I suspect that having my fuel filter turned sideways (to fit the restrictor) was causing gas to rush in the carb and flood, or away from it and starve.
These are just theories and I'll need to re-test.
Anyone have more thoughts?