Engine smoking on start up

[Vanden Perre]

I have a 1966 S3 and used to complain because of a lot of oil smoke on start up of the engine. Recently I got the engine completely overhauled. To avoid the smoking problem on start up, the workshop put some valve stem seals.
I thought it will solve the problem. And so did the workshop. (Not specialised in TC)
Unfortunately, it is still the same. Even when I stop at a traffic light, when I restart it smokes for a second or two. If I do not use the car for a few weeks it then smokes for a few minutes.
It looks as if the problem was coming from the cylinder in front of the engine.
Any idea of what it could be and how to solve it?
Olivier.

[types26/36]

. Recently I got the engine completely overhauled. To avoid the smoking problem on start up, the workshop put some valve stem seals. . (Not specialised in TC)
It looks as if the problem was coming from the cylinder in front of the engine.
Olivier.

Olivier,
What do you mean by "compleatly overhauled" was the engine rebored with new pistons, were the valves and guides replaced?
In standard form the T.C. engine does not have valve seals, it is a specilized job to modify and fit them to a T.C. yet you say the workshop fitted them even though the dont specialised in T.Cams.
Why do you say the prob is in the front cylinder? the brake servo vacuum is connected to number 1, are you useing brake fluid? could it be pulling fluid from the servo?

[Vanden Perre]

Brian,
"Completely overhauled" is engine rebored, new pistons, new rings, new valves, new guides.
I suspect the front cylinder because the spark plug is dirty (black greasy deposit) and the other three ones are not.
Olivier.

[elans3]

Hi, if the deposit is black and greasy, not sooty, then I would say that your rebuilder has broken a piston ring(s) during assembly on number 1 cylinder. A properly freshly rebuilt engine should not smoke, even on start up from cold, and certainly not restarting warm. Check the compression on all cylinders, it's likely that number one will be down.
I also can't see how he has properly fitted valve stem oil seals either !

[bill308]

With regard to valve guide honing, I took special precautions the last time I had this done. A new person at the local performance automotive machine shop was willing to work with me to get the best possible clearances. New valves were fitted. IIRC, it took the new person 3-tries to get the valve guide clearances I wanted, on the tight end of the tolerance scale. After the initial fitment, I measured the clearances with my hole gage and micrometer in 3-places, low, middle, and high, 90-degrees apart, for a total of 6-measurements per guide. Based upon my feed back, the apprentice went back and lightly honed the guide again and again. After 3-tries, I was satisfied. For 3-years, until I took the car off the road for a restoration, the car did not smoke, even at start up. No valve guide seals were fitted. Valve guide clearances make a difference.

Bill

[twincamman]

both mine smoke on the startup ---no valve guide seals so a little oil leaks past the guides to the piston ----no problems -----want something that wont leak or smoke I d buy a caddie --ed