1953 Plymouth Cranbrook Smokes

[Knick_cranbrook]

Hello I just bought a 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook last week and it smokes like an old train. What do I need to do to get it to quit smoking without rebuilding the engine??? Thanks for any help because i've never messed with the flathead 6 before.

[greg g]

You need to ascertain what might be causing the smoking. A vacuum gauge and a compression gauge are effective tools for determining several problems that may lead to smoking.

Also indicating mileage, general condition, known faults, and what color the smoke is, and from whence it comes will also add to the data base to allow the long distance diagnosis you are seeking assistance with.

Was it smoking when you bought it? Did the previous owner indicate what might be causing it, has it been sitting idle for a while, does it run well despite the smoke? What do the spark plug look like when you pull them?

Oh and by the way welcome, and whee do you hale from??

[Rodney Bullock]

Well , you could get it a patch:) Ok, welcome to the forum. I would see why it's smokes first, did someone put something down the cly to free up the motor? What does the oil look like? Can you do a compression test? What color is the smoke blue or black?

[Knick_cranbrook]

the guy I got it from said that to fix the smoking to just replace the piston rings, but I have no idea about it. I'm from Russellville arkansas

[Knick_cranbrook]

thank's guys the oil is black and the smoke is black and the sparkplugs are new

[greg g]

Black smoke usually indicates an over rich fuel mixture. Blue smoke is associated with oil burning. So you might be lucky and only need to fix a sticky choke, adjust the timing, or rebuild or replace the carburetor.

But again a compression check, and a vacuum gauge test will reveal many things.

Suggest you read up on their use and what they can reveal.

Second chance garage website had a very good primer on using and interpreting a vacuum gauge readings and how they relate to engine condition.

[Knick_cranbrook]

If you were replacing piston rings and you took the rod bearings off and looked at them and they had no scratches or marks on them and appeared to still be in good shape would you still replace them?

[Plymouthy Adams]

Plastic gauge can be bought to determine the fit of the bearings...I would for the sake of time and trouble as you are already in the lower end. to replace both the mains and rod bearings IF mic of the crank determines it is a suitable fix..

BUT..as per your statement above, you may be having trouble other than.

[aero3113]

Welcome to the forum, since you say your oil is black it would be a good idea anyway to pull the pan and clean it out. You will be shocked at how much sludge will be in there. While the pan is off it's a quick job to inspect the bearings.

[aero3113]

But before you do any of this do a compression check, you will be able to tell if your valves need to be adjusted or rings replaced.

[Don Coatney]

[Knick_cranbrook]

Thanks everyone you have been most helpful!!!

[Rusty O'Toole]

It sounds like the carburetor is badly out of tune.

What does the compression test tell you? What is the oil pressure? Should be 45 PSI @ 40 MPH.

If you have good compression and good oil pressure, then a tuneup should go a long way to curing your problem.

In some cases, if a car has been out of commission for a long time, the rings get stuck and it takes a while to free up. But once you drive it 500 or 1000 miles it settles down and stops burning oil.

In other cases it is necessary to renew the rings and valves.

How many miles on the car? Normal engine life between overhauls is 50,000 to 80,000 miles.