Hey guys this is my first post and I need some help. I have a 71 comet with a 302. I recently had the valve seals replaced which fixed my smoking on start up issue, but im still having problems with the car. First off it bogs down and sounds like it wants to stall in low rpms and when going up hills, i figured it was the carb so I replaced the power valve and the accelerator pump with no luck. The car still wants to stall going up hills and when you punch the gas. Checked for vacuum leaks but couldnt find any. Then today i noticed oil leaking out of the spark plugs and a small amount of smoke coming from the dip stick. Im at a complete loss as to what could be the problem. Any help is appreciated, Thanks.
Are your spark plugs fouled? Did you replace with new "proper heat range" after the valve seals where fixed? Did it show these signs BEFORE the repair was made? Reputable shop do the valve seals for you or you do them yourself? Ignition system up to par? cap rotors? Leak down test results? Could be a numerous amount of things, my first guess would be fouled plugs/and a little bit of blowby (depending on HOW much smoke comes out of dipstick) PCV in good shape?. I would also double check your valve stem seals, sounds like they are leaking. Which brand did you buy?
A shop did the seals for me. And it didnt show these symptoms before the repair. I had a friend who is a mechanic help me pull the heads and put them back on so im confident it was done correctly. The cap and rotor are new so I dont think they are the problem. The car is also leaking tranny fluid which I am about to check and when the car is put into gear the rpms drop considerably. And when pulling the car back into the garage i noticed that it still does puff a small amount of smoke on start up but not nearly to the extent that it did before.
I would double check timing, and do a compression test to start out with. Make sure the head gasket is seated all the way. As for the transmission, it might be causing the bogging problems but I'm not sure I swap auto transmissions I only know the fastest way to get them out of cars LOL. Sure someone will chime in shortly to help out about the transmission or see if they think it could be causing your problems. as far as bogging goes.
KitKat, were the spark plugs out when you saw the oil on them or is the oil on the outside of the plugs? If it was on the outside of the plugs then the valve cover gaskets are probably leaking. Oil on the threads is from the valve covers - oil on the electrodes is from the engine. The bogging under acceleration may be the tune. If you have the stock distributor it uses points so check the dwell or replace and then adjust them using a dwell meter. The ideal setting is usually around 28 degrees for the 302. Then set the timing with a timing light. Spark plugs may need to be replaced (especially if they have oil on the electrodes) and they should be gapped at .028" - .034". I like to use the smallest gap that still gives me a smooth idle. After you do all that you can adjust the carb. Start with the engine cold and set the choke. it should fully close when cold (you have to push once on the accelerator to get it to close). Set the idle in Drive at 600 - 650 rpm and then set the mixture with a vacuum gauge so it gives you the highest vacuum reading. Reset the idle speed and then adjust the mixture again (repeat until you get the highest vacuum reading at the proper idle speed. Replace the PCV valve, fuel filter, distributor cap, rotor, air filter and replace your spark plug wires. Also check that you are getting wide open throttle when the pedal is pushed to the floor and that your kick-down linkage is properly adjusted. Trying to go up a hill or accelerate at low speeds without the transmission shifting down just isn't going to happen.
If he's still running points ignition, that's the first thing he needs to get rid of, as it's most likely the cause of his problem.
The pcv, air filter, cap, and rotor are all new. Oil was seen leaking from the plugs while they were in. I dont think its the valve cover gaskets because there is no oil leaking from above the plugs, just coming out of some of the plugs themselves. I removed the plugs where oil was seen and there is oil on the threads but not on the electrodes. I reconnected the kickdown the way it was when i took the carb off for the first time, is there anyway I can check if it is adjusted properly? And is the large drop in rpms when put in gear normal?
Also the spark plug electrodes were black and fouled. I believe this means that its running rich but im not sure. Ive always suspected that the car has been running rich but I can never seem to fix it. The plugs are only about a week old
You should NOT have smoke coming out of the dipstick tube! I know you replaced the PCV valve,but did you clean out the hose and the port where it attaches to on the adapter plate? I would strongly suggest the "leak down test: mentioned earlier. This will tell you for certain the condition of your piston ring seal and your valves. I hate to say it but it sounds like you have extreme blowby! I would have this test done before doing any more parts on it. You haven't wasted money on what you already got,because those items are normal maintenance anyway!
Could be running rich, but if you've also got blowby coming from the dipstick tube, it's more likely the piston rings are gone if there's oil on the plugs as well.
I will get a leak down test then. The motor only has 68k original miles so i assumed that worn rings wasnt likely but ill get it checked out anyway. and everything looked fine when i pulled the heads but i guess i will just wait for leak down results. if the rings are shot it sounds like its time to build a stroker lol. and after looking again it was only one plug that had oil around it.
can you take a nice high resolution picture of the spark plugs and post it up. That can tell us alot.
