318 Smoking, Not Cig's or Dope!

[OldFolksMopar]

I have a 1980 D150 with 318 / 4 speed. Early morning, pump pedal twice and she fires up! Not really any smoke. Drive to Lowes or wherever, come back out and fires right up but boy does she smoke now! I imagine valve guides or seats? So is this a big job to replace either? Do I have to pull the heads? I've never worked on a 318. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sure I could get a book, but then you would not have anything to help me with!!

Thanks, Larry

 

[PRND21]

Blue smoke? Do a compression check, more than likely the guides are worn. How many miles? You might check with Aeroheads in Wanamaker for rebuilt stock heads.(Part of Indy Cyl. Head) If that's the problem. White smoke? Coolant getting into the cylinder.

 

[mopar_man]

What PRND said about the color of the smoke . Most likely it is valve stem oil seals . You can remove a valve cover and get a skinny screw driver and just poke it in between the coils of the valve spring and see if they are brittle . yes you can change the seals without removing the heads but you need the proper gear . You use an old spark plug and weld an air hose coupler to it so you can snap an air hose onto it . you need at least 120-150 lb to keep the valve closed. I always rotate engine to get piston to TDC so if I do pop a valve , I still don't have to remove the head. . After removing the valve cover , remove valve train . put air pressure on the two valves that you are going to remove the seals from . compress the valve spring a little and remove the locks , remove spring , take off old seal and install new seal , replace springs and locks and move onto next piston . Not a big deal, 2-3 hrs if you don't have trouble .

 

[OldFolksMopar]

What PRND said about the color of the smoke . Most likely it is valve stem oil seals . You can remove a valve cover and get a skinny screw driver and just poke it in between the coils of the valve spring and see if they are brittle . yes you can change the seals without removing the heads but you need the proper gear . You use an old spark plug and weld an air hose coupler to it so you can snap an air hose onto it . you need at least 120-150 lb to keep the valve closed. I always rotate engine to get piston to TDC so if I do pop a valve , I still don't have to remove the head. . After removing the valve cover , remove valve train . put air pressure on the two valves that you are going to remove the seals from . compress the valve spring a little and remove the locks , remove spring , take off old seal and install new seal , replace springs and locks and move onto next piston . Not a big deal, 2-3 hrs if you don't have trouble .

 

[OldFolksMopar]

Thanks PRND21 and MOPAR_MAN for the info. It is blue smoke. I thought It was Guides or Seals. She has many mile on her. Probably over 150K.
Thanks for the info on the Rebuilt heads. Thanks for the info on how to change them out without removing the heads. I don't want to spend a lot of money on this thing. It is just a beater truck but it is in pretty good shape. Many thanks guys, Larry

 

[dvw]

My bet are that what is left of the valve seals are in the oil pan. Guides may be worn but it runs fine, correct? Put some seals in it. Not to hard. Remove the rocker shafts, air up the cylinder, pop the spring off. Replace the seal. Then on to the next cylinder. I suggest bringing the piston up to TDC just incase the valve doesn't seat perfect. That way it will only fall down until it touches the piston and you will be able to pull it back up. Tap each retainer with a soft face hammer to break the keepers loose before installing the spring compressor (with the piston up and cylinder aired up).A twist type compreesor from the local auto parts will work fine.
Doug

 

[threewood]

I'm guessing seals as well. Had a 225 /6 that the seals went rock hard, same symptoms and oiled up plugs. Car was driven hard and put up wet. Pulled the head, cleaned the valves with a wire wheel, replaced the seals and left everything else original. Set the mechanical lash and that thing ran like a sewing machine for another 100k before frame rot took her from us.

 

[polywideblock]

do a leakdown test ,listen for where the hiss is coming from quick way to tell if seals or rings