Hey guys I am need on any ideas about my car. Here is the problem the engine is consuming a huge amount of oil. Like a 1/2 quart per tank of gas. Most is comming out of the spark plugs. ( yes I mean literaley bubbling out of the base of the plugs while running but only from number 1 and 4 cylinders). I assume it is burning some of the oil becouse those two plugs keep fouling even though the engine doesn't smoke much. Any ideas? I am thinking maybe something with the head or head gasket? Anyone ever experienced this? The engine is a 1977 250 6 cyl. that was supposed to have been rebuilt. I know it was apart becouse i have pics of the block out of the car and bare, but I do not know if any head work was done. Thanks for any help. Cary
Is there a way to test if this is the problem? How hard to replace the seals? Any special tools needed?
i find it hard to belive that oil is coming through the spark pulgs. im sure any thing is possible but it suspect that the oil bubbling on the plugs is driping from the valve cover. the excesive oil consumption could be caused by several things. if the pcv valve is bad the motor will smoke alot and burn alot of oil. (it should smoke alot using that much oil anyways) the valve stem seal as mentioned, or the rings on the pistons. the pcv valve is cheap and easy so start with that. a compression test will show bad rings, so i would do that next. if the compression tests good on all cylinders then the valve seals are your most likely culprit.
I wish it was the valve cover! I wouldn't have your wasted time for that. Valve cover gasket has been replaced and the head is dry above the two problem spark plug holes, plus a leaky valve cover wouldn't foul the plugs in those two cylinders. I am hoping for a compression test this weekend. I guess my biggest fear is a cracked head. I know there have to be some oil passages in the head somewhere. I just can't imagine why I would have that much liquid oil in the cylinders to make it bubble out like that, even if the plugs are allowing some compression to escape. Oh, and it still isn't smoking! My hope with posting this was that maybe some one else had some experience with this problem. Thanks Cary
I've seen this in person and can back him up. He first thought it was a valve cover gasket and changed it. It gets the base of the plugs covered in oil while everything above it is dry. It's weird. Funny thing about it all is that I have never seen this car smoke. I figured if it were valve seals it would smoke (atleast a little bit). I've had PCV valves go bad and cause oil burning, but not specific to two cylinders and never causing oil to puddle around the plugs. I'm not arguing that these aren't good ideas, just that he's already been down that road.
update OK guys I pulled the head after doing a compression test which came out fine. Took the head to a machine shop known for expertise with Ford engines. They said I need new valves,guides and seals, the seats are questionable. Cost if they can ground the seats is $460.00. More if I need new seats. Also the springs are weak. I can't see spending that much on a 6 cylinder head. My question is is there any difference between a 250 and the other 6 cylinders? I know where I can get a running 170 or 200 6 cylinder for free. Should I do that or just v-8 the car? I have all the parts on my '73 but I really don't want to strip that car to build the '77. Decisions,decisions,decisions!
The 200 head will give you higher compression but smaller valves and intake log. It also takes a different carb/adapter.
if it's a running 170 or 200 6 cylinder, get the carb also. i ran a 170 head on my (nowTerrys) 250... ...Frank...
